– In the early years of the festival, the Women’s Auxiliary sold light lunches first out of the barn, and then the basement of the church. After a few years, the Burton Volunteer Fire Department Women’s Auxiliary began to hold an Ox Roast on the square during the same time period for those visiting the Apple Butter Festival to be able to enjoy a sandwich.
The Firemen cooked beef (not oxen, because an ox had not been cooked in over 75 years according to the women) over the open fire. The ladies sold the sandwiches accompanied by coleslaw and apple pie. And everyone pitched in to do the dishes.
The Ox Roast is still held the same weekend as the Apple Butter Festival in Burton Square, but it has since been renamed to Oxtoberfest. It is now sponsored by the Burton Chamber of Commerce.
– Originally there was not a cost to attend the Open House held at Century Village, but if one wanted to tour the one room school house the charge was 50 cents. By 1971 the cost of admission was $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for seniors and youth ages 6 – 12. There was not a charge to tour the buildings. Today the charge is $7.00 for adults and $4.00 for children ages 6 through 12. Children under 6 are admitted free.
– In the early years of the Festival Swiss cheese and trail bologna were sold. It was not uncommon to sell over 500 pounds of each. While Swiss cheese and trail bologna are no longer sold at the festival some things have not changed. Apple Butter served on homemade bread, apple cider, apple fritters, historic artisan demonstrations and live music are still apart of the festival 68 years later.
