WILLIAMSTOWN -- Even though the Williamstown Cooperative Nursery School didn’t open this year, it’s annual fall fundraiser will continue.
The South Williamstown Community Association (SWCA) and Girl Scouts from the Williamstown area have teamed up to host Applefest at the Little Red Schoolhouse, the nursery school’s home of 48 years, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Saturday. The schoolhouse is located on New Ashford Road just south of the Five Corners intersection.
Barbara McLucas, president of the SWCA, said Tuesday the association is committed to maintaining the school building during the transition period in which the preschool isn’t open, and to keeping the programs associated with the school alive. The association also wants to support community use of the building, she said.
"Joining with the Girl Scouts in continuing the tradition of Applefest is a wonderful way for the SWCA to support a local organization and to continue to offer programming for community children and families," she said.
While there had been an admission fee to Applefest in the past, there won’t be this year. There will be a tag sale of children’s toys and a bake sale, with proceeds from both sales will going toward building maintenance for the Little Red Schoolhouse, McLucas said.
The festival will also have children’s activities, including games, crafts, face-painting, an apple pie competition, and raffles
Lori Kapiloff, who will be one of two former Williamstown Cooperative Nursery School parents running the children’s crafts and games table at Applefest, said this year’s festival will be on a smaller scale than in the past, but will be much more of a fun fall festival for families.
"In the past, it has been sort of fundraising an amount we want to reach and need desperately [for the preschool]. It would get stressful," she said.
She is glad to see other groups getting involved to keep Applefest alive, she said.
Kristen Mabey, a leader of local Girl Scout Troop No. 11626, said girls with Girl School Service Unit ONE, which includes Williamstown, Lanesborough, Hancock and New Ashford, will volunteer Saturday to help run Applefest. Girl Scout Troop No. 11626, which includes Daisy and Brownie Girl Scouts, meets at the Little Red Schoolhouse.
Mabey said some of the girls in the troop did attend the Williamstown Cooperative Nursery School and know about the Applefest tradition.
"I know the girls are looking forward to it," she said. "We’ve talked to the girls about how by doing this, we’re bringing Applefest to other kids. They like that concept," she said.
To reach Meghan Foley, email mfoley@thetranscript.com.
Font Resize
