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Heritage Apple Day planned for Saturday at Derby Reach

Opportunity to taste varieties of apples which are not commercially available.

Saturday is the annual Heritage Apple Day, which allows visitors to take a bite out of Fort Langley history.

The free family event allows participants to learn all about apples, and take a walk through time. It takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the heritage area in Derby Reach Regional Park.

Visitors will be able to sample and taste the difference in varieties of heritage apples you won’t find in any supermarket. They can take a tour and learn about how the original heritage orchard was saved by local volunteers.

There will also be a glimpse of the future at the new “floating” orchard near the Houston House, where volunteers are growing new trees from cuttings of the heritage ones.

Kids will be able to enjoy interactive games like “Experience the Fraser” and “Experience the Farm.” There will also be historical tours, and historical re-enactors Black Powder and the Royal Engineers will show  the sights and (loud musket) sounds of a century past.

The Langley Community School Fiddlers will be performing.

It would not be Apple Day without the wisdom and wares of local apple growers — Derry Walsh, Laurelle Oldford-Down, Sheila and Dave Ormrod, and Jim and Mary Anne Rahe will be giving advice on planting and caring for fruit trees, and selling a variety of heritage apple trees.

This free event is organized by the Derby Reach/Brae Island Park Association.