BREAKING: Due to the inclement weather forecast for Saturday, Bushkill Falls has postponed this event to Sunday, September 28.

Try your hand with apple butter at Bushkill Falls

BUSHKILL, PA — Visitors to Bushkill Falls can participate in the annual tradition of making homemade apple butter on Saturday, September 27. The applesauce is simmered in a 50-gallon copper pot that must be stirred continuously. The process begins early in the day and continues until mid-afternoon. Visitors can try their skill at stirring the pot. Be sure to ask what’s at the bottom of the pot to keep the ingredients from sticking. (Hint: many people carry it in their pockets.)

Apple butter is a highly concentrated form of applesauce, produced by long, slow cooking of apples with cider or water to a point where the sugar in the apples caramelizes. The concentration of sugar gives apple butter a much longer shelf life as a preserve than applesauce. It was a popular way of using apples in colonial America, and well into the 19th century. The term “butter” refers to the thick, soft consistency, and its use as a spread for breads.

Typically seasoned with cinnamon, cloves and other spices, apple butter may be used as a side dish, an ingredient in baked goods, or as a condiment. The Pennsylvania Dutch often include it as part of their traditional seven sweets and seven sours dinner table array. Tasting is available, and the apple butter can also be purchased.

There will be a food tent featuring apple pie, apple crisp ala mode, hot dogs and kraut and other apple-related items.

This year’s event will also feature an appearance by chainsaw artist Barry Frank. Frank will perform shows at 10:45 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 3:00 p.m., making a three- to four-foot carving each time. The wildlife carving Frank creates will be permanently displayed throughout Bushkill Falls’ property.

There is no fee to watch or participate in the apple butter making or to watch the chainsaw artist. Admission to see the falls is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors 62-plus, $6 for children ages four through 10, and free for under 4. Gates open at 9:00 a.m.

For more information visit visitbushkillfalls.com or call 570/588-6682.