Max Zerjav posed for a picture at the photo booth during the 40th anniversary Mars Applefest in downtown Mars on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
MARS — The Unionville Grange always sells out of its apple butter and apple dumplings at Mars Applefest, making the event one of the organization’s biggest fundraising opportunities of the year.
Rich Mangel with the grange said the organization runs through 500 apple dumplings in the six hours Mars Applefest takes over the borough on the first Saturday of October.
“This is where we raise money to do community service,” Mangel said. “We’ve been here about 12 years.”
Mars Applefest once again took over the borough on Saturday, Oct. 4, for its 40th year.
The event is the product of Rich-Mar Rotary Club, which puts on Applefest — not only to raise money for the club, which it earns through vendor fees — but to get people of the community out and about.
Harry Austin, a member of Rich-Mar Rotary Club and community and media coordinator for Applefest, said the event has taken on a life of its own. While it began as an apple-centered event that highlighted different uses of the fruit, it has now become a huge opportunity for vendors, crafters and the people who buy from them.
Brian Fleeson, a member of Rich-Mar Rotary, said the club has put more of an emphasis on bringing vendors to the event to appeal more to families with children. Austin commented the vendors help the club get an estimate of attendance each year.
“In talking to vendors, they see about 9,000 to 10,000 people a year,” Austin said at the Rich-Mar booth at the fest. “And they all sell out every time.”
Sandy Miller shops for apples during the 40th anniversary Mars Applefest in downtown Mars on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
Money raised through vendor fees funds the Rotary club’s community outreach, which includes sending donations to agencies including the Lighthouse Foundation, Robin’s Home and the Isaiah 117 House, Austin said.
However, the club also participates in a lot of “hands-on” volunteering.
“We pack meals for homeless. We help stock up food banks,” Austin said.
Although Applefest has taken on a life of its own in the 40 years it has taken place, it still draws people from all over Butler County and beyond.
Lois Marak, of Cranberry Township, said Saturday was her first visit to Applefest. She bought apple dumplings from the Unionville Grange and said she had been enjoying the day so far.
“It’s just something I’d always heard about,” Marak said.
Marak also brought her brother to the fest, Rick Putch, who recently moved back to the Pittsburgh area from New Jersey. He said attending Applefest had long been on his to-do list, even when he lived in the Garden State.
“It’s known even in New Jersey,” Putch said. “It’s a great place.”
DJ Robert John entertained the crowed during the 40th anniversary Mars Applefest in downtown Mars on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
Paul Porreca dishing out pizza from Mars Pizza Restaurant during the 40th anniversary Mars Applefest in downtown Mars on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
At the Mars Lacrosse fundraiser booth, Oakley Miller shows off her skills at the dunk tank during the 40th anniversary Mars Applefest in downtown Mars on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
Chris Hickey, left, and Nicole Enslen shop for tasty treats during the 40th anniversary Mars Applefest in downtown Mars on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
Jeff Ward and his mother, Martha Ward, enjoy the day at the 40th anniversary Mars Applefest in downtown Mars on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
Heather Szymczak, left, and her daughter, Shalya Szymczak, browse the booths at the 40th anniversary Mars Applefest in downtown Mars on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
Food vendors line the streets as a large crowd attends the 40th anniversary Mars Applefest in downtown Mars on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
The Rizza family, from left Vera, Lola and dad, Julian, enjoy lunch at the 40th anniversary Mars Applefest in downtown Mars on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
Amanda Davis and Travis Domhoff enjoy a hot sausage sandwich during the 40th anniversary Mars Applefest in downtown Mars on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
At the Mars Cheer Fundraiser Booth Lila Belle Graham gets her face painted by Mars cheerleader Lily McBride during the 40th anniversary Mars Applefest in downtown Mars on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
Denton Kraft of Cindy's Munchies serves up hot sausages and other food during the 40th anniversary Mars Applefest in downtown Mars on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
Large crowds of people turned out for fun and to shop vendors during the 40th anniversary Mars Applefest in downtown Mars on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
The Hanley and the Raubenstine families pose for a picture at the photo booth at the 40th anniversary Mars Applefest in downtown Mars on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
The Advance Community Church provided food and fun activities for members of the community during the 40th anniversary Mars Applefest in downtown Mars on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
Members of Boy Scout Troop 400, Declan Howe, left, and Austin Haze, served up lemonade as a fundraiser during the 40th anniversary Mars Applefest in downtown Mars on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
Owners of The Grand Candy Shop, Joel and Tessa LeVierer, were one of the many merchants that lined the streets during the 40th anniversary Mars Applefest in downtown Mars on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
Members of Mars V.F.W. Post 7505, from left, Marie Anna, Terry Berneth and Pam Firgo, sell sweet treats as a fundraiser for the troops during the 40th anniversary Mars Applefest in downtown Mars on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
