The sun was out on Saturday, October 11 as the parade stepped off at 9 a.m. for the 50th annual Apple Butter Festival in Berkeley Springs.
The town was tidy and prepared for up to 30,000 visitors. The two-day festival did not disappoint, with a trolley system, porta-potties, parking and traffic systems in place.
Several large copper kettles burned over wood fires built on the brick square. Volunteers from Greenwood Community Center stirred the apple butter with wooden paddles, seasoning it occasionally, and bottled it for sale in a tent behind them.
Bands and other performers entertained on the mainstage in Berkeley Springs State Park, and in a beer garden set up behind the courthouse.
Two food truck alleys were added to this year’s festival, along with the traditional food court.
Crafters and other vendors lined the streets in tents displaying their wares.
The festival’s traditional beard contest was held, as well as an egg toss, a duck race, and hog calling contest that draws participants year after year.
Baking contest winners were announced, and a drawing was held for a 50th anniversary quilt created by Susannah Kipp.
Tucked in the northeast corner of the festival, smoke rose from a single kettle burning over an open fire.
Until next year, a sea of smiling faces prove new memories were made at a spectacular 50th anniversary edition of Berkeley Springs’ famous Apple Butter Festival.
The 50th annual Apple Butter Festival drew an anticipated 30,000 visitors to Berkeley Springs on October 11 and 12.The Tri-state Honor Guard from Alderton-Dawson American Legion Post 60 led the 46th annual Apple Butter Parade on Saturday, October 11.The Arnold family of Berkeley Springs has been making their apple butter at the Apple Butter Festival for over 20 years. Pictured from left, Patty (Arnold) Caldwell, Nelson “Chick” Caldwell, Vickie (Arnold) Armel, Bill Armel, Myrtle Arnold, Vernie Arnold, Dennis Unger, Pamela (Arnold) Unger, Roger Riggleman, Jackie (Arnold) Riggleman.Beard contest winners at the 2025 Apple Butter Festival, from left, Eric Pritchett, best effort; Randy Talbot, softest; Chris Sipe, best mustache; Bryce Heyn, best overall/best groomed; Arthur Bonjour, longest length; Ogre Lewis, most original.Bellysima performed a mesmerizing belly dance at the Apple Butter Festival on Saturday, October 11.The Berkeley Castle Foundation had a float releasing aromatic bubbles in this year’s Apple Butter Parade.Berkeley Springs High School Fishing Club tossed candy from a boat in the 46th annual Apple Butter Parade.Brad Michael, right, president of Greenwood Community Center, stirs apple butter, with assistance from fellow volunteer Ryan Fincham, left, at the Apple Butter Festival.Berkeley Springs High School Marching Band, led by instructor Robert “Bob” Myers, Morgan County Educator of the Year, brought their “A” game to the 46th annual Apple Butter Parade.The Chamber of Commerce festival information booth, staffed by local volunteers, was abuzz with activity last weekend. photo by Kate ShunneyEmpire Cheer stopped at the grandstand to perform a thrilling gymnastics routine in the 46th annual Apple Butter Parade.Little festival visitors wore their apple best on Sunday while visiting the booths in Berkeley Springs State Park. photo by Kate ShunneyFall colors were on the trees and in the festival booths last weekend. photo by Kate ShunneyAmish donuts, Wild Bills root beer and other festival favorites were on offer at the food court on Sunday. photo by Kate ShunneyA few of Laura Glascock’s dumplings were still left on Sunday afternoon of the festival. photo by Kate ShunneyGrand Marshals for the Apple Butter Parade were the 2025 Chamber of Commerce community award winners.Drumbeats and white plumes announced the arrival of the Hancock Middle Senior High School Marching Band accompanied by the Panthers cheerleading squad in the Apple Butter Parade on Saturday, October 11.Measuring the facial hair is part of the tough job of judging the annual beard and moustache competition. photo by Geoff FoxMorgan County Volleyball Pigtail Ponytail League had a float in the Apple Butter Parade.Berkeley Springs High School cheerleaders accompanied Miss Indian 2025 Lilli Stevens in the Apple Butter Parade on Saturday, October 11.Orleans Volunteer Fire Department exchanged waves with children along the Apple Butter Parade route on Saturday, October 11.Reggie the 911 rescue dog and his handlers were a crowd favorite in the Apple Butter Parade this year.Robert Mabe and his band played bluegrass music from the mainstage in Berkeley Springs State Park during the Apple Butter Festival on Saturday, October 11.Seth and Josh Place took a break from their festival duties to soak in Saturday’s sunshine. photo by Kate ShunneyCreative glass items are crafted into bird feeders by festival vendor and local resident Sherry Harmon.Sweet Yonder played traditional country music in the beer garden at the Apple Butter Festival.Warm Springs Middle School Wolves football team had a float in the Apple Butter Parade on Saturday, October 11.Towing a float with a tractor in the Apple Butter Parade, the Future Farmers of America, FFA, Berkeley Springs Chapter represented their community’s tradition of family farming, along with its future.Miss South Morgan Volunteer Fire Department Ava Slovinsky and Lilly Lewis rode in the 2025 Apple Butter Parade.Warm Springs Middle School student council had their mascot wolf on a float in the Apple Butter Parade on Saturday, October 11.
Warm Springs Middle School Wolves football team had a float in the Apple Butter Parade on Saturday, October 11.U.S. Silica’s equipment from the Berkeley Springs Plant made an imposing appearance in the Apple Butter Parade.Festival food was even more abundant at the 50th annual Apple Butter Festival, with two additional food truck alleys, along with the traditional food court.Berkeley Springs High School Marching Band, led by instructor Robert “Bob” Myers, Morgan County Educator of the Year, brought their “A” game to the 46th annual Apple Butter Parade.
Four generations of the Arnold family of Berkeley Springs were gathered there, as they have been for over 20 years, making their family recipe apple butter, under the Open Fire Vittles label, only sold once a year at Apple Butter Festival.
When the Apple Butter Festival started in the mid-70s, local families like the Arnolds, the Stotlers and the Crones, and later Pleasant View Community Center, competed in a coveted apple butter contest. Blind entries were submitted to the WVU Extension Service for judging.
The apple butter contest was eliminated years ago. Now, apple butter can be entered into the baking contest under a miscellaneous category.
The Arnold family, winner of past apple butter contests, carries on the tradition. Patriarch Vernie Arnold does all the tasting, while grandson Noah Caldwell stirs, and everyone else pitches in.
Their family recipe apple butter is so thick it stands up. Its spice-forward notes are reminiscent of early Apple Butter Festival.
Times have changed, and the festival has grown since Jeanne Mozier called from the gazebo, House of Musical Traditions entertained, local craftsmen dipped wax candles, funnel cakes were sold, and farm families competed for bragging rights.
