Now in its fourth year, the Great Peninsula Cider Festival is one of the largest cider-themed events in the Pacific Northwest. Nearly three dozen regional cidermakers will share almost a hundred hard cider varieties at this year’s festival on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017 from noon to 5 p.m. at Sehmel Homestead Park in Gig Harbor.
Cider Swig is an event for the entire family, with apple-themed games and activities for kids in the Apple Carnivàle Zone, food, live music on two stages and a gourmet Cider Makers Dinner on Sept. 29, 2017 (sponsored by Olympic Property Group).
The event coincides with National Public Lands Day — apropos, considering that proceeds fund various environmental programs.
The festival is organized by the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation, a nonprofit that has invested more than $4.8 million over its 10-year history in grants, scholarships, land, equipment and volunteer labor benefitting projects and programs in the Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula areas.
Since inception, the Cider Swig has contributed more than $20,000 to supporting environmental education in parks, natural areas and on trails around the Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula community. Annually, the largest donation has been contributed to the Lu Winsor Environmental Grant Program, administered by the Key Peninsula — Gig Harbor — Islands (KGI) Watershed Council.
Established in 2003, the Lu Winsor program helps local students experience classroom science workshops, carry out restoration projects and attend local environmental education camps. Many of these programs benefit schools with a significant number of students enrolled in free and reduced meal programs, and may have an increased need for supplemental education opportunities.
Admission is free to all festival areas except the Cider Garden, sponsored by Uptown Gig Harbor, and the cider sales tent, where entrants must be 21 to enter (ID required). Advance ticket purchase for the cider garden is highly recommended, as the event has sold out every year.
Advance tickets are $27, $35 at the gate (while supplies last). National Public Lands Day and Cider Swig volunteers receive tickets for $18. Each ticket includes five drink tokens and a festival glass. Extra tokens will be available for purchase at the event. Designated driver tickets are only $10.
Get your tickets online at www.ciderswig2017.eventbrite.com or from the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation. Interested volunteers should call 253-514-6338 or email ciderswig [at] gigharborfoundation [dot] org.
For more information, go to gigharborfoundation.org.
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