Douthat State Park Celebrates Apple Day Oct. 10 A Celebration of Appalachian Heritage and Arts and Crafts Fair   Millboro,VA (Sept. 30, 2015) - Douthat State Park is hosting its annual Apple Day: A Celebration of Appalachian Heritage on Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the beach complex. Activities include apple butter making, traditional Appalachian artisan and craft demonstrations, great food, including a pig roast and much more all for a parking fee of $5. The Simmons family begins making old-fashioned apple butter at 8 a.m. They will spend the entire day cooking up delicious homemade apple butter. Learn how to milk a cow, churn cream into butter, press cider from apples, shell corn, and tan a hide. Demonstrations and the arts and crafts fair begin at 10 a.m. and last until 5 p.m. each day. Visit traditional artisans and crafters specializing in apple farming, basket weaving, blacksmithing, soap making, quilting and knitting. Arts and crafts booths will offer handmade items for sale and many demonstrators will also offer their wares for purchase. Ride a hay wagon through Lakeside Campground as your guide shares the history of Douthat. Hay rides, which depart from the lower beach parking area, are $3 per person and take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy music and clogging. Play the games children enjoyed years before TV and video games. Apple treats cooked over an open flame will be available at the Campfire Cookery program where you can learn the secrets of Dutch oven cooking. A small serving is $1, and a large serving in a souvenir mug is $5. The park will provide concessions during the weekend. Guests may purchase souvenirs and food, including a pig roast dinner, Brunswick Stew, country ham biscuits and don’t miss traditional fall festival foods like candy apples, popped corn, funnel cakes, warm apple cider and hot chocolate. For general park information go to www.virginiastateparks.gov, contact the park office at 540-862-8100 or e-mail Douthat State Park at Douthat@dcr.virginia.gov. Douthat is located at 14239 Douthat State Park Road, Millboro, Va. 24460.   The award-winning Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. For more information about Virginia State Parks’ activities and amenities or to make reservations in one of the more than 1,800 campsites or 300 climate-controlled cabins, call the Virginia State Parks Customer Service Center at 800-933-7275.

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