The Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre is back again next Saturday, October 30, after a break last year due to the pandemic.
Local food and drink producers will be showcasing their goods, many made using the Armagh Bramley Apple, in The Square.
There will be live entertainment throughout the day from local groups Catch 22, The Qua Family, The Bawn Folk Group and close harmony trio The Swingtime Starlets, as well as craft and market stalls.
Ruth Briggs, a member of the organising committee, said: “We’re hoping that the 2021 Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre will again be well supported by the local community, and a warm Richhill welcome will be extended to anyone travelling from further afield.
“We can’t put on our full programme, which usually happens over a number of days, due to the ongoing Covid restrictions. However, we’ve a great crop of producers, exhibitors and live music acts lined up.”
The fayre, which is run by a small team of volunteers, began in 2014 as a celebration of the Armagh Bramley Apple being awarded Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status.
Local apple grower and committee member Hamilton Loney explained the history and significance of the Bramley apple: “An Armagh Bramley Apple has to be grown within the Archdiocese of Armagh, which includes Richhill and the surrounding area where we have many orchards.
“Even St Patrick is said to have planted an apple tree here in County Armagh.
“The Armagh Bramley Apple takes longer to grow so it matures better. The drumlins of County Armagh provide the perfect conditions for growing apples as we have right the type of soil and weather.
“These conditions and the number of orchards is, of course, why Armagh is called the Orchard County.”
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