From Rick Howe:
On the first Saturday in October there is usually an early fall mist in the morning air. Not exactly a fog, but a low-hanging mist that starts to lift shortly after sunrise.
As the mist begins to dissipate, a miracle arises like the legendary Brigadoon. White tents start to appear, the smell of apples fills the air, and the crowds come. And more. And more.
Because on this day, this magical day, the tiny village of Darlington opens its doors to the entire Eastern Seaboard for the Darlington Apple Festival.
An average of 50,000 people will visit Darlington. And the famously anti-development citizens of Darlington (of whom I am one) say to the visitors, “please come to Darlington for today, and then please leave!”
The Apple Festival was started 24 years ago as a fund-raiser for local churches and civic groups, and it maintains that character to this day. Between their own food stands, and the mandatory donations of commercial vendors, many of the local churches earn the lion’s share of their operating budgets on this day.
In fact, a commercial food vendor is not even allowed to participate in the Darlington Apple Festival unless he donates a large portion of his day’s gross sales to a local non-profit.
In one case, the Apple Festival had a signature food — the Apple Delite: a spiral-sliced apple served with warm caramel and whipped cream. The Apple Delite vendor, who was from out of town, had resisted the mandatory cash donation for years, and figured the Apple Delite was so important to the event that he was immune. But the event organizers finally enforced the rule, and the vendor was out on his ear. A local community center that provided before and after school services to local children picked up the Apple Delite stand, taught themselves the particulars, and operate it to this day.
And this year The Darlington Apple Festival is working with Armstrong Cable and Harford County Transit to collect non-perishable foods for the needy. The food can be dropped off behind the Country Store at the corner of Main Street and Shuresville Road in Darlington.
With off-site parking (and plenty of signs) along Rt. 1 and regular bus service to Shuresville Road, the Apple Festival is a favorite for families through the area. Lots of wonderful food, plus great artists and wonderful crafts. Entertainment, children’s areas and more. Mums from the Amish. And, of course, apples.
The Darlington Apple Festival is a day of magic. Give it a try.
Rick Howe
Darlington
Phil Dirt says
“An average of 50,000 people will visit Darlington. And the famously anti-development citizens of Darlington (of whom I am one) say to the visitors, “please come to Darlington for today, and then please leave!””
If that is the attitude of the citizens of Darlington, I can promise you that not one cent of my money will go toward any organization in that area. My money may be wanted, but I know where I am not wanted, and I will not go there.
Thackerie says
That’s OK, Phil. If you’d ever been to Darlington, you’d know that you wouldn’t want to spend any day other than Apple Festival Day there anyway. It’s not really a “tiny village.” It’s more a microscopic hamlet of decaying buildings, including somewhat less than a handful of abandoned store fronts.
But you should know that not everyone who has ties to Darlington is so thoroughly anti-development. Many of us wish for “something” to replace the nothingness … a decent grocery store would be nice, or a pharmacy open for more than a few hours during the weekdays, or a bus stop. (So ironic that the festival is supporting Harford County Transit which otherwise never comes near that region of the county.)
Braveheart says
Phil,
Does anyone really care? After Terry Hanley what else do you have to do?
Phil Dirt says
OK, Braveheart, try it again and this time have your post make sense.
Trash Bag Knot says
Wow….Howe is it? Trust me, Darlington has nothing to fear. by the looks of it, people cant wait to get out of there. Nice freakin “town”
Jimmy Stillwells says
mmmm
deep breath, stretch
let me flip the pillow over for the cooler side to rest my head
oh, and one foot out from under the covers
now are we finished with the pros and cons of Darlington?