The apples went quickly at the St. John's United Methodist Church Apple Fest.
"We had people wanting to buy apples 30 minutes before we started," said Nancy Perrine, chairwoman of the Nov. 1 event.
Volunteers fried the last of the apple pies and sold 44 bushels of apples just a couple of hours into the all-day festival inside the church and on its grounds in downtown Aiken. The early sellout of apples didn't deter crowds.
"This is a banner crowd this year," Ms. Perrine said.
The Apple Fest also featured a Christmas shop, consignment shop, silent auction, bake sale and entertainment in two venues. There was an inflatable slide and jumping castle for the children, face painting and crafts.
The United Methodist Women of St. John's have sponsored some type of church bazaar since 1952, said Ms. Perrine. The name was changed to Apple Fest about 10 years ago.
"This is all done for charity," she said.
Proceeds from this year's event will benefit the Grace Kitchen, a Saturday breakfast soup kitchen at the church; the Jack Meeks Memorial Wheelchair Ramp Ministry, which provides wheelchair ramps for those in need at no cost; and the Golden Harvest Food Bank.
Between 150 and 200 volunteers helped put the event together, she said.
Other churches and organizations also had a hand in the Apple Fest.
The Schofield Middle School band and chorus performed; Friendship Baptist Church musicians played; and the River of Life Living Fire Ministries performed puppet shows and skits. Also, the South Carolina Express Cloggers and the hand bell group Ringspiration performed.
Reach Charmain Brackett at charmain.brackett@augustachronicle.com.
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