As Newport as Apple Pie

By Bella Osgood
EAGLE TIMES STAFF WRITER
Entering its 49th year, Newport’s Apple Pie Crafts Fair is becoming as traditional as … well … apple pie.

While the first fair only had seven vendors and 50 pies for sale, more than 120 vendors and hundreds of pies are expected for this year’s fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, on the Newport Town Common.

While it is now hosted by Newport’s Library Arts Center, the fair was founded by Kathy Nibloi and her mother, Marie, in 1973. The 2023 fair would have been the 50th fair if not for the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

“My mother and I were sitting on the back porch talking about the fact that the craftsmen’s fair serves professional artists, but there wasn’t really anything for amateurs”, Nibloi said.

They chose the name, “Apple Pie Crafts Fair,” for its “Americana” feel.

As years went by, Nibloi said they chose to pass it on the Arts Center because of how much it had grown.

Now, the Apple Pie Crafts Fair Committee and more than 60 volunteers put on the event.

Vendors include both amateur and professional artists and some food vendors.

Apple desserts will be for sale, including pies, apple squares and apple cider floats which are made with locally made Sanctuary Dairy Farm ice cream.

Donated pies do not have to strictly have apple fillings and can be dropped off at the Library Arts Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Aug. 25, or at the apple pie tent on the day of the fair. Committee members warn that visitors typically start lining up to purchase a pie before the fair starts at 8 a.m. and there has never been a leftover pie in the history of the event.

There will also be an Apple Pie Baking Contest judged by Newport Interim Town Manager Paul Brown, Newport Economic Director Allison Browning and Harold LaValley. In addition, there will be a raffle for a tray of apple squares and for a membership to the Newport Golf Club. Live music will continue all day.

The fair has become the Library Arts Center’s biggest fundraiser, bringing in about $25,000 in profit, making up a large portion of the organization’s operating budge. Vendor fees vary, but are never more than $100 organizer’s said.

The Library Festival, organized by Newport’s Richard’s Free Library, is on the same day as the fair.

“By doing it [the two different events] at the same time, we can make the events even bigger,” said Library Arts Center Director Kate Luppold. The Library Festival includes a book sale, “Cookie Walk”, and more, and is located across the street from the Town Common.

The Apple Pie Crafts Fair is a tradition that draws tourists and brings residents and families together said committee members.

“The Library Art Center’s mission is to build the community and economy through the arts, and that’s exactly what the fair does,” Luppold said.

An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people attend the fair each year, and “puts Newport in the spotlight for something very positive and joyful.” Center Marketing Chair Fran Huot said.