Where are all the Apples? - Hometownstations.com-WLIO- Lima, OH News Weather Sports

Where are all the Apples?

After a rough year, Van Wert's Apple Fest continues, but the number of apples being sold are limited.

Carl Lape, founder of Van Wert's Apple Fest, and owner of Lape's Orchard, celebrated the 26th annual Apple Festival on Saturday. Unfortunately, things were not all smiles for Lape, as he has never had such a small apple crop. His troubles this year started early with a Spring freeze and a Summer wind storm.

Windmill Acres saw its own struggles with this years weather, struggling with this Summer's drought. When they did get rain, it came at a time when the apples were ripening, and led to the apples swelling and splitting open.

With three local orchards in the area, only Lape and Windmill orchards made an appearance at this years Apple Fest, after the third apple grower canceled due to a lack of apples. Carl Lape chose not to sell his apples or make cider this year, allowing him to bring plenty of apples with him.

With struggles for many apple growers across the nation, you can expect to pay a little extra when making your homemade apple pies this year.