Apple Scrapple returning to Bridgeville this weekend

Scrapple has become a hallmark of Eastern Shore breakfasts, and next weekend, locals and out-of-towners alike can enjoy a true Sussex County festival named, in part, in the food’s honor, as well as a popular local variety of produce.

The Apple-Scrapple Festival originated more than two decades ago in Bridgeville.

“Twenty-one years ago the senior center and the library were doing a May Fair and wanted to do more. They went to the Town and said they wanted to do something to try to improve and make this a town-wide effort to raise money for nonprofits and civic organizations,” explained Karen Johnson, executive chairperson of the festival.

“The Town, along with a committee, formed the Apple-Scrapple Festival based upon our two biggest businesses — T.S. Smith, our apple orchard, and Rapa Scrapple, who is our scrapple producer.”

The two-day event will open on Oct. 12, beginning at 4 p.m., for attendees to enjoy the carnival, food court and street dance. On Oct. 13, the festival will fully open at 9 a.m.

“Our festival has grown to over 25,000 attendees. It keeps getting bigger and better,” said Johnson. “People really like the fact that we’re a family-friendly festival that provides a variety of events. We have a carnival. We have crafters, a business show, free entertainment and tons of delicious food offerings.”

The event will be free and open to the public, and a shuttle bus service will be available to those who wish to get into downtown Bridgeville.

The festival will feature a ladies’ iron skillet toss, the Little Miss Apple Scrapple pageant, a 5K Hogg Jogg, an apple baking contest and much, much more.

“We’ve kind of stuck with the favorites,” said Johnson, noting that nothing is new at the festival this year. We have our scrapple chunkin’ and scrapple-sculpting contest. Our car show is another great draw to the festival, as well.”

There will also be a health and safety fair on Saturday in the Bridgeville Fire Hall, where attendees can speak with representatives from organizations such as the Division of Family Services, the Department of Public Health and the Alzheimer’s Association.

Food is also a big draw to the event, as attendees may purchase freshly-made scrapple sandwiches and various apple treats.

“We encompass everything,” said Johnson.

She added that the festival would not exist without the support of the entire Bridgeville community.

“Our committee and our festival are based entirely based on volunteers. Our community has a big, important role that everyone works together. Our school district raises a lot of funds. The parents and students put a lot of time and effort into it. It has truly has been embraced by the town.”

Johnson said she and the committee hope to have many people attend the popular festival and support the numerous organizations the festival hopes to highlight.

“We’re praying for good weather, of course,” she said. “We’re looking forward to a large attendance and to raise much-needed funds for all of the organizations that have booths and events happening during the festival. We don’t want to lose sight of that fact. … We’re not doing this for ourselves. We’re doing this for our organizations and our nonprofits, and students in the town.”

For more information on the festival, visit www.applescrapple.com.