It’ll be a good memory one day for Ashley Cramer to tell her son.
She will recall how they dressed in color-coordinating outfits and how 4-month-old Rodney stood on stage, with help from mom, with a banana-shaped teething ring clutched in his teeny hand. It didn’t matter that he didn’t win his age group in the Baby Apple Cheeks contest at the Delmont Apple ’n Arts Festival.
“I thought it would be a fun story for me to tell him later,” she said, adding it was a bonding experience the two could share.
If Rodney grows up and doesn’t believe mom — or dad Jared Cramer, who was there to witness it — she will have the participation ribbon to prove it.
Dozens of babies and children 4 and younger participated in the contest at the annual event at Shields Farm. Some walked onto the stage and others were carried while their names and information about their personalities and interests were announced. Three judges selected the top three winners in each of three age groups — 3 to 12 months, 1- to 2-year-olds and 3- to 4-year-olds.
The winners received trophies and paper apple crowns created by Christine Fox, the contest chairperson.
“They love it. It’s a big deal,” she said.
Parents Ashley and Bryan Mealy of Derry Township entered their 2-year-old triplets into the contest for the first time. Sisters Lennon and Odin wore matching fall outfits with burgundy overall skirts while brother Reagan had on a flannel shirt and tan pants.
Ashley Mealy said she thought it would be a fun experience for the whole family. Each child went onto the stage separately.
“We don’t get to do many things with triplets,” she said.
Proceeds from the volunteer-run annual event benefit local organizations. Food and crafts chairperson Vicki Walters said the festival committee typically donates between $10,000 to $15,000 back to community groups, such as the Boy and Girl Scouts, Meals on Wheels and the local police and fire departments.
“It’s all Delmont-based organizations, so it all goes back into the community,” Walters said.
Organizers were happy unusually warm temperatures earlier in the week gave way to more fall-like weather Saturday. Festival-goers lugged bags of apples picked out of crates in the apple barn, and some double-fisted gallon jugs of fresh apple cider from an antique press on-site.
The event continues from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Shields Farm off East Pittsburgh Street. Admission is free and there are craft and food vendors. For details, visit delmontapplenarts.com.
