Abigail Cooper, 5, and her brother Dominic Cooper, 8, dip get chocolate covered apple slices to dip into topping dishes at Mars Apple Fest Saturday.

MARS — This year's Mars Applefest may go down as one of the most successful in recent memory.

Brian Fleeson, a Rich-Mar Rotarian who organized the event, estimated roughly 3,000 Martians and neighbors came to the 2021 Mars Applefest following after a hiatus due to COVID-19 last year.

“It was a really good year,” Fleeson said. “I think years in the past have been this successful, but this is up there with them.”

With live music and a hula-hoop performance, there was plenty of entertainment for the thousands of guests at the 36th Applefest.

That's in addition to the wares and foods available from the scores of booths set up in the streets of downtown Mars.Dean Peters, of Adams Township, said he's been coming to Applefest for years. He joked this was the first time he attended when it wasn't raining or freezing cold, making this year was one of his favorites.

Peters said his favorite parts of Applefest were “people-watching and hopefully finding a Christmas gift.”“I'm really enjoying going slow and taking my time,” Peters said. “I just like seeing all the people and the happy faces. It's just a great community.”He noted this is his first time at Applefest since his wife passed away earlier this year, and said seeing the happy faces and the environment helped.“I just enjoy all the vendors and people-watching,” he added.Fleeson, who organized Applefest for his second time, hopes to do it again next year.

The Rotary will likely meet in the coming weeks to debrief, Fleeson said. At that time, the group will talk about what could improve in the 2022 iteration of Applefest, and, of course, celebrate this year's success.The funds collected from the vendor booths will go to hosting other Rotary events throughout the year, as well as to its charitable givings.

Rich-Mar Rotary also took to collecting warm socks this year, for Mission for Mars, which collects donations and serves lunch to people who are homeless.For Fleeson, organizing the event is just a way of giving back.“I like the town of Mars, I like the community, and I like being able to do something for the town and community,” Fleeson said.

Above, from left, Reid Mabie, 5, and Grant Mabie, 7, shoot baskets at Mars Applefest on Saturday. At left, Abigail Cooper, 5, and her brother, Dominic Cooper, 8, get chocolate covered apple slices to dip into toppings at the event. Photography by Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle

Above, Brian Helfer of Butler-based H&H Consessions stirs up a fresh batch of kettle corn at Mars Applefest on Saturday. At right, Ben Trew of Sweetwater Farms explains how to tell a jalapeno’s spice level to, from left, Jennifer Fulton and Marie Mambuca at the event.

Ben Trew of Sweetwater Farms explains how to tell a jalepeno’s spice level to Jennifer Fulton (left) and Marie Mambuca at Mars Apple Fest Saturday. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle 10/02/21

Members of the Greater Cranberry Men's Barbershop Chorus perform at Mars Apple Fest Saturday. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle 10/02/21