Sixty three different apple dishes and recipes will be whipped up for the one day occasion by about 30 of the Peach Ridge farm women.  One of the farm wives have called the new Apple Smorgasbord event a “wonderfully fresh idea”.  The smorgasbord itself seems that it might become a very time consuming affair, as over 250 hours of weekly planning meetings have already taken place to prepare for the upcoming event.  Farm wives are discussing making recipes like Ham and Apples, such as hams basted in sweet cider and garnished by coconut covered cinnamon apples.  It is estimated that the event will serve about 100 farm folk and some specially invited visitors.  The farm wives are in charge of arranging apple smorgasbord tables, and the farmers will be showing some guests a close-up of apple production problems and practices.  It is heard that food editors from Detroit, Cleveland, and Toledo are invited to the event to draw attention to the fact that apples are good for many things besides munching and this year will be a bumper crop.  

The early part of September was chosen for the Smorgasbord, because the apple harvest begins then, and once the picking starts, everything else becomes secondary until the fruit is in storage.

1953 – It’s Really Taking Off

A Record 131 Dishes are sitting on the Apple Smorgasbord Table for this third annual event.  This year it is held in the yards of the Kober brothers, John and William on Peach Ridge Rd.  The ladies are beginning to swap recipes and sample the delicacies.  This year, besides apple dishes, there are nine turkeys that are furnished free by the Michigan Turkey Growers Association.

This year will also host stunts, games, contest, and auctions.  Wilbur Reister, it’s over heard in the group at the dessert table, is said to have accepted the chairman position of the 1954 smorgasbord already.  Apple industry leaders including Representative Gerald R. Ford, Senator Charles Feenstra, and Rep. Irving Pennington are expected to be present.   Looking around this beautiful layout of food, virtually everyone along the Peach Ridge seems to be in attendance and is contributing toward the success of the event. 

1954

Rain may become a factor in the big Apple Smorgasbord tomorrow.  Tonight, the men are working to erect a big tent, install the necessary electricity to run automatic deep fat fryers for the hot apple fritters and roasters for the hot apple-vegetable combinations, and put up the tables.  Umlor orchards are expected to host over 500 local growers and their special invited guests to the fourth annual event. 

One of the wives commented about the successes of the past few years, “We knew that a complete meal could be made of apple dishes!” 

1956 

The smorgasbord is becoming a real community affair, but for those who don’t “know” someone, the event is strictly by invitation only.  This year, Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Reister, of Conklin, will host the event with 600 guests expected and over 200 apple based recipes.  The big copper kettle is heating up for the churning of Apple butter later this afternoon.  Aunt Jemima, in her full dress, just arrived and is warming up her griddle for the apple filled pancakes she is planning to make. 

1958

The downpour of rain, which came shortly after the dinner was served today in the 8^th annual picnic, made sure the farmers stayed busy that afternoon pulling out mud caked vehicles.  It took seven farm tractors to pull the 300 cars out of the oat field.  “Not a single car in the jam-packed parking area could move out on its own power”, said D.J. Johnson earlier today. 

Even with the rain, two interesting decorations highlighted the event with a five tier 30^th anniversary cake for the Peach Ridge Fruit Growers Association designed and baked by Mrs. Geo. Kober and the beautiful apple replica of the Mackinac Bridge designed by Janet Kober. 

1971

Each year, the Smorgasbord has changed, evolved and grown.  This year, the tables will feature apple cookies in addition to the breads, desserts, salads, and more on the lawns of Robert Umlor.   In attendance this year will be the 1971 Kent-Ottawa Apple Queen Charlene Schmidt and the 1970 State Apple Queen Brenda Lee Rasch.   The Committee, which features literally dozens and dozens of farmers and their wives to pull of this event, agree that the original intent of the Smorgasbord was stated well by one committee member, “They wanted to have a real picnic, so for that reason decided to have the Apple Smorgasbord outdoors at the homes of different members.  Each year, they tried to improve and add something new in the way of food, as well as entertainment.”  Throughout the past 20 years, the Peach Ridge Fruit Growers Association has become a more unified and better acquainted group through the combined efforts of all to make our Smorgasbord a success.

Information obtained from:

From the notes of the 6^th annual Peach Ridge committee in 1956

Ridge Economic Agricultural Partners website www.fruitridgemarket.com

Numerous Sparta Reminder, Sentenial Leader, and Grand Rapids Press Newspaper articles

Begin the evening with a train tour at the Railroad Depot Museum (400 N. Union Street) from 3:30 – 5 pm.  At 5 pm, line up at the Railroad Depot Museum for a Kids Costume Parade with police cars and fire trucks marching south on Union Street to the Sparta Civic Center (75 N. Union).

At the Civic Center, the Sparta American Legion will have a treat for the parade participants.  The Sparta Rotary Club will also host a “Pan for Silver” game for kids.  The Sparta Boy Scout Troop 280 will host a free Spook House, continuing a 20 year tradition!  Stop by the Sparta Fire Dept afterwards to Trick-or-Treat at the Fire Station!

Activities throughout the Month:

Oct 24             Pet Costume Contest in Rogers Park (75 N Union)

11:00 am – 12:30 pm Registration, Judging begins at 1 pm

Oct 24            Halloween Carnival at Sparta Fire Department (70 N State)

Noon – 4 pm    Free arts, crafts, games, prizes, tricks & treats!

Oct 28             Farmers Market with Freddie The Clown!  5 pm to Dusk

(201 E. Division in Downtown Sparta)

Oct 31             Halloween!

3:30 – 5 pm      Train Tour @ Railroad Depot Museum (400 N Union)

5 pm                  Kids Parade (Begin at 400 N Union walking south)

5 :15 pm           Cider & Treats with Sparta American Legion (75 N Union)

5:15 pm            Pan for Silver with Sparta Rotary Club (75 N Union)

5:30 pm            Kids Spook House (Sparta Boy Scout Troop 280) (75 N Union)

5:30 – 8 pm      Official Trick or Treat time in the Village of Sparta

5:30 – 8 pm      Trick or Treating at Sparta Fire Dept. (70 N State)

The 2010 Harvest on the Ridge BBQ Contest held in downtown Sparta is an attraction for locals and visitors alike to experience the sights and delicious smells of a semi-professional BBQ Contest!  The Sparta Smokin’ BBQ Contest is a State Sanctioned Championship Barbecue Location for the State of Michigan on Friday & Saturday, September 24 & 25, 2010 in Balyeat Field in downtown Sparta.  In addition to this mouth watering event, downtown Sparta will be the host of the Art in the Park Show, live music and entertainment, kids games, and more! The Sparta Smokin’ Barbecue Cook-Off is coordinated by the Harvest on the Ridge volunteer Roger Gren.

Click below for complete event information.  Can’t find something you need?  Contact Roger Gren at 616-263-6063.

Official 2010  BBQ Entry Form 

2010 Judge Request Form

Kids Cook-off Registration (Postponed for 2010)

Kansas City Barbecue Rules & Regulations

Food Vendor Application Form (already filled for 2010)

Please check out the Event Sponsors!  The Sparta Sizzlin’ BBQ Contest couldn’t happen without their support!

Event Sponsor’s Info (coming soon!) 

Would you like to be part of an event that will draw from around the Midwest?  Click here for the Sponsor Registration Form. 

Kansas City BBQ Society WEbsite: www.kcbs.us

The Sparta Farmers Market is Wednesday evenings from 5:00 – Dusk beginning July 7 through October 20, 2010.  The Market will be set up at ChoiceOne Bank Parking Lot in downtown, Sparta!  (72 N. Union, MI 49345) 

Upcoming Special Events:

 Wed. Sept. 8th  – Mini Horses Onsite!

Wed. Sept. 22nd – Alpacas!

Wed. Oct. 2nd  – Kids Safety Night!

Market Vendor Registration (PDF)

  Who will benefit from the Market?

1. Local growers who participate with fresh foods

 2. Downtown businesses through promotion of the downtown as a designation with the market and through traffic created by the market that would otherwise not have visited the downtown

 3.The community residents and visitors who purchase and consume local foods

  Why is this market being created?

  1. To create a viable market for growers that will help protect local  farmland from future development 

2. To put more fresh local food in the mouths of Michigan people

 3. To enhance the experience of downtown Sparta

  Don’t miss out on finding fresh, locally grown foods in dowtnown Sparta during the concerts in the Park with live musical entertainment in Rogers Park right next to the Farmers Market!