Bayfield's 48th annual Apple Fest kicks off in bad weather

BAYFIELD - Friday was a tough day to be outside, but when it's time to celebrate Bayfield's apple harvest, it seems nothing can keep people away.

"We've had snow for Apple Fest, we've had rain, we've had wind... nothing's gonna stop us from doing this," said Kristen Sandstrom, marketing director for the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce.

"This isn't anything. This is fine. Just double–up on the layers of clothing," said Carolyn Lindemann of Cumberland, Wis.

"If you're a die–hard Apple Fest fan you come in the rain anyway and just be prepared," said Nora Rady of Illinois.

You might ask why so many are willing to brave the elements.

"I think the music and the people and of course, the apples," said Rady.

With more than a dozen orchards and more than a dozen apple varieties, there's no shortage of treats to help festival-goers forget that it's raining.

"I have an apple dumpling... which is my very favorite," said Rady.

When the wind blows and the rain pours, some of Apple Fest's warmer treats, like hot apple cider, become even more popular.

"Hot apple cider... sounds really good," said Rady.

Besides the smells and tastes of all things apple, there's one more reason people will put up with any kind of weather to come to apple fest.

"There's nothing else like it in Northern Wisconsin," said Jerry Jurries of Lake Namekagon. "This is it."

Apple Fest continues Saturday and Sunday, with a parade Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.

Watch Fox 21 News at Nine on Saturday night for more coverage of Applefest.