Defying the drought: Julian ready to party at this weekend’s annual apple festival

What are you going to do when the apple crop comes in too early or too light? Julian, the historic little mountain town in San Diego County, will party as planned this weekend -- with beer gardens, panning for gold, music and pie-eating contests -- to mark its annual apple fest. There are still some apples in the you-pick-'em orchards outside town, but you might have to hunt.

The worms in Julian’s apple crop? The drought, the hot weather and the vagaries of farming.

Some orchards had productive seasons, others did not open for picking. It depended on altitude, said orchard owner Conrad Young. The higher-up operations did well, he said, while the ones in the warmer valleys struggled.

“It was really strange this year,” said Young, of Calico Ranch Orchard. “The trees never could figure it out. The apples didn’t [reach] size. We didn’t think they were strong enough to open for picking. But we used them for cider. For cider, they were perfect.”

So, go for the cider, or the pears, which are still plentiful. And the mountain air, which is a relief in hot stretches like this.

Peacefield Orchard, at 3803 Wynold Road, reports that it is offering apple picking, with Granny Smith and Golden Delicious still on the trees. The orchard will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., both days. The cost is $10 per person, and each customer receives a bag that holds 5 to 8 pounds of fruit.

Volcan Valley Apple Farm, at 1284 Julian Orchards Drive, will also offer self-pick apples this weekend, but will probably close to pickers after that. The cost is $12 per bag.

Other operations, such as the popular Apple Starr Orchards, report that they are picked out of apples but pears are still plentiful.

“The warming confuses the ripening,” explained Arnold Starr of this year’s crop. The apples came in, he said, but arrived earlier than usual.

For growers, it’s frustrating, because potential customers plan to come in early fall, not late summer.

Meanwhile, the annual Apple Days Festival’s venue will be at Menghini Winery, at the end of Farmer Road, about 3 miles north of downtown Julian. The address is 1150 Julian Orchards Drive. Last year’s festival attracted 3,000 visitors. 

On tap: music and dancing, an antique tractor display, food and merchandise vendors, contests, and, of course, apple pie. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 12 and younger. Parking is free.

Info: (760) 765-1857

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