46th Ruthven Apple Festival continues tradition of bringing everyone together to support CLEC

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative

After last year’s amazingly successful event, the Ruthven Apple festival Steering Committee hoped the 2025 event will be just as spectacular.

  With great weather welcoming the weekend-long festivity on Saturday, the 46th annual Ruthven Apple Festival was off to a good start.

  On Saturday morning, Essex MP Chris Lewis and municipal dignitaries from across the region gathered on the grounds of Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens to show support to this regional organization that provides a variety of supports to over 700 individuals with an intellectual disability, and their families.

  They all also took part in the annual apple peeling contest, which MP Lewis won with a peel length of 26-inches.

  In its first 45-years, the Ruthven Apple Festival has raised over $1M in support of CLEC, specifically to help maintain its vehicle fleet and transportation service that ensures its clients can get to appointments, work, and volunteer opportunities; with each social interaction strengthening inclusion efforts.

  The first Ruthven Apple Festival welcomed 3000 people and raised $5000 for Community Living Essex County. Over the years, thanks to the support of vendors, local producers who contribute to the Farmers’ Market, the Colasanti’s family, members of the Ruthven Apple Festival Steering Committee, the long-list of volunteers, community members, and generous corporate donors, the event has grown over the years.

  The 2024 event raised $71,000 for Community Living Essex County (CLEC), despite having to combat rain, and organizers hope this year’s event will be just as successful.

  The 2025 Ruthven Apple Festival offered a record-breaking number of vendors, with 119 setting up shop throughout the event grounds, in addition to numerous food trucks onsite offering tasty treats or meals throughout the weekend.

  In addition to enjoying the vendor area, attendees were able to enjoy the live music entertainment on stage throughout the weekend, the onsite Farmers’ Market overflowing with fresh, local produce, and the Sunday Car Show.

  The Ruthven Apple Fest has definitely become a tradition of gathering community members year-after-year, Chairman of CLEC’s Board of Directors, Chad Sutherland, said.

  With demand growing on CLEC and the services it provides every year, continued support from the community is more important than ever, Sutherland added.

  The Ruthven Apple Festival is more than an event, “It is a celebration of inclusion and community spirit.”

  CLEC’s new Executive Director Corey Dalgleish added the Ruthven Apple Festival brings everyone together in the spirit of belonging. The organization is always humbled by the support it receives.

  Speaking on behalf of the Town of Kingsville and fellow local dignitaries, Kingsville Mayor Dennis Rogers was proud to help kick-off the Ruthven Apple Festival.

  “We appreciate everything you do for the community,” he said, noting that in addition to being a great fundraiser for CLEC and a way to promote inclusive communities, the Ruthven Apple Festival showed support to local vendors, which are small businesses.