One of the Nation's Premier Art Festivals Returns to Joyous Crowds!

“And The Fall Burst Forth Upon Us!”. There is no better way to welcome fall in Southeast Michigan than Rochester’s Art & Apples Festival.

This year’s 2021 edition delivered the goods. The streak of consecutive shows since 1965 came to a screeching halt during last year’s pandemic. This year, patrons unleashed pent-up demand to quench their festival habit.

Attendees were attracted to a variety of offerings including 200 artisans displaying heart and soul designs, a Creation Station heating things up with glass blowing demonstrations, a Main Stage producing sights and sounds of Marching Bands, Jazz, Motown and dance, and a requisite food court cooking up satisfying festival fare!

Glass Artist Chris Ervin

Chris Ervin was a highlight and instant hit at the Art & Apples Creation Station.

The Ervin Glass Works tent was setup at the northwest corner of the festival. Chris opened Friday afternoon with 100 beautifully handcrafted glass pumpkins, by the next evening, they were sold out!

Chris, of Shelby Township, has an animation degree from Detroit’s Center of Creative Studies (CCS). While pursuing his degree, Chris filled optional credits with a glass elective. CCS Glass students study the facets of blowing, casting, and coldworking.

Though Chris finished his animation degree, he always remembered the joy and satisfaction of the glass arts, the sense of touch and feel from using his hands to craft the melted silica sand to take form.

Chris' Glass Apples Sold Fast!

courtesy PCCA

“You realize that very few people understand the origins and production of the glass they use every day. I see this as an opportunity to educate others and unravel the mystery of glass art.” said Chris, who is beginning his 14th year as a glass artist.

Those wishing to attend one of Chris’s Glass Art Workshops can contact The Paint Creek Center for the Arts at...
(248) 651-4110
www.pccart.org

Those interested in purchasing a glass art piece can contact Chris directly at…
Chris Ervin Glass Artist
(586) 214-0945
chriservinglass@gmail.com

Artist Lucy Moore (Lucy's Toys)

Occupying a two-booth space in the lower west side of the festival is show veteran, Lucy Moore.

Lucy, from Anniston, Alabama, has been traveling to shows for 58 years! She says, “I have lots of fans in Michigan. I have been coming to this state for a long time. It’s one of my best states and the Art & Apples Festival is one of my top events.”

Lucy needs the two-booth space to spread demand for her stuffed toys, puppets and blankets. She designs all her animals from scratch, balancing life-like features with joy.

Lucy pictured with one of her best sellers, the Red Bird Stomper Puppet

Lucy shared, “I used to be a schoolteacher. I decided to pursue my artistic passions at weekend shows. Soon, I was making more money at craft shows than teaching. I decided to go all in with my dream of ‘Lucy’s Toys’ full-time.”

Lucy will be 88 in November and made it clear, she has no plans on slowing down!

Discover more about Lucy’s Toys at...
www.lucystoys.com
lucystoys@att.ent
(256) 236-5938

The Woodberg Family admiring Lucy's Toys

We caught up with Mike Woodberg and his family admiring Lucy’s Toys. The Woodbergs, from Rochester Hills, are attending their second Art & Apples Festival.

They plan on heading over to the Main Stage next to catch sounds from the Rochester High School Marching Band.

Mike said, “After an active morning soaking in the sights and sounds of Art & Apples, I expect the kids will be ready for their afternoon nap.” Nice thinking Mike.

Main Stage

The Main Stage showcased 16 performances over the three-day festival. Attendees’ ears were soothed by Jazz, moved by Motown and shaken by the three Rochester Community High School Marching Bands!

Dance was well represented with a dance company performing during each of the four half-day segments of the festival.

Falcon Marching Band displays a spirit of unity and friendship at Rochester's 2021 Art & Apples Festival

courtesy FMB

Rochester High School Marching Band Drumline Brings the Beat

courtesy FMB

Food Court

After a moving performance, the crowds trend north from the Main Stage. Why? The Food Court of course!

Their senses aroused by ten well-placed provision providers sending aromas of barbecue, burgers, coffee, cakes, kabobs, pizza, pretzels, schnitzel, woks, and all things Apple like pies, fritters, sauces and strudel.

Ask Ronnie Miehlke of downtown Rochester about those barbecue aromas. Ronnie’s already a big barbecue sandwich fan, then you put him in the Festival Food Court and forget it…there he is downing a masterly crafted, sauce infused, Mr. Pitmaster BBQ sandwich at 10am on a Sunday morning. Good job Ronnie!

Ronnie Miehlke enjoying Mr. Pitmaster BBQ

Through all the bustle of the weekend, we never lose sight of the artists at the core of our beloved Art & Apples Festival! They invest their time, talents, and creative designs at one of the nation’s premier art festivals. What’s their feedback? Was it all worth it?

Paint Creek Center for the Arts (PCCA) Executive Director, Elizabeth Chilton, offered ideal feedback as the festival ended, “I was talking with the artists as they left the park on Sunday evening, I was so thrilled that so many reported to me that it was their best Art & Apples Festival ever! In fact, many artists actually sold out of all their stock of artwork before the festival ended. I am so proud to be part of Paint Creek Center for The Arts -in the middle of a community that is so supportive of art and artists!”


Sep 13, 2021, Rochester.Life Staff