CiderFest Brought Hardcore Fun to Woodford Mansion in Philly’s Fairmount Park
Stately Woodford Mansion played host in 2023 to the sixth annual CiderFest.
“His voice in her ear was rich, just like the cider was in her throat. She couldn’t help but look at him, and his face was so close. Everything about him was rich and balanced. He was the physical embodiment of this cider. Would she discover more layers the longer she knew him? He was close enough that the flecks of gold in his eyes sparkled at her like the cider’s missing effervescence. He was close enough for her to smell the cider on his breath, the color of it making her light-headed and giddy.” ― The Simplicity of Cider
Story, photos by Sharon Kozden
Now that’s one, er, effervescent opening quote! I’ll just add … I really need to read that book, then move it right on to tell you about my lovely fall afternoon in October 2023, when I attended CiderFest at Woodford Mansion in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park.
Brought to you by Home Brewed Events and Philly Cider Week, it was the sixth annual such Fest and my fourth time there on assignment for lifestyle and travel blog ExploreWithCassie.
Over the years, CiderFest has become one of my favorite autumnal outings. The weather has never yet wavered from perfection. Visiting an historic house in Fairmount Park when the foliage is flaming orange, red and yellow, the hard cider samples plentiful, sonorous live music wafting in open air on stunning grounds redolent with mums and pumpkins delivers so much of the season in a single afternoon.
This year was even more special because my Tillie Rose made her debut as my plus-one! I worried she’d keep me from taking photos and from the schmoozing I do while on assignment, but girlfriend was a complete revelation as the consummate guest. Apparently, she’s a born social media influencer-wannabe, ready to go viral in a heartbeat and to amass a gazillion followers … when her canine self is not busy at home, tormenting her feline brother and sister.
CiderFest was held on a Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in late October. We opted for the lazier and more chill Sunday afternoon and arrived early at the check-in station to receive a blue wristband, which entitled me to sip Philly’s finest hard ciders from Excursion Ciders, Hale & True, Ploughman Cider, Manoff Market Garden & Cidery, Commonwealth Cider and others. Full pours and to-go cider also were available. Chester County’s farm-based brewer Succession Fermentory made a special appearance.
Food vendors such as The Charming Charcuterie and Kampar Kitchen were on hand to offer for-purchase picnic lunches and charcuterie boards and warm-from-the-oven empanada pies that were crispy and flavorful–really the perfect accompaniment to each and every available cider sample.
While the spacious grounds were dotted with comfy Adirondack chairs, both picnic and round communal tables, attendees also brought blankets on which to stretch and sprawl languorously. And speaking of stretching it out, a new and delightful addition in the 2023 line up were the Five Dollar Flows with Monarch Yoga accompanied by The Punk Cellist. And the beat goes Ohm!
And since who doesn’t love to learn for learning’s sake, Philadelphia Bee Company demonstrated how onsite hives restore the local bee population, Philadelphia Orchard Project conducted interactive cider pressings demos and Fairmount Park Conservancy staffers presented guided tours of the 1756 National Landmark Mansion with its 18th century fine and decorative arts collection.
A raffle to benefit Woodford Mansion raised monies for preservation and renovations showered winners with packages from the local beverage producers, artists and more.
In addition to the aforementioned, folks enjoyed lawn games such as Cornhole Toss, perused offerings from local arts and crafts vendors and groove-moved to the live music from The Brandywine Riders, Dried Roses, Dot Rose Levine, Patrick Spence Music, The Punk Cellist and more.
Kudos to Meredith Rebar’s Home Brewed Events and to Philly Cider Week. Together, they continue to host what is easily a favorite fall outdoor cider event that always brings out the best in everyone, hooman and canine alike!
Can’t wait to see what’s brewing for 2024! Until then, we’ll press on sure as God made little green apples.
All smiles were on deck at the check-in station.
Guests checked in and received blue entry wristbands.
Fest organizer Meredith Rebar of Home Brewed Events plants one on her sweetie.
CiderFest attendees filed in along the brick pathway leading to Woodford Mansion’s entrance.
An experienced tour guide gave a welcoming smile to his incoming group.
An eager crowd awaited entry for a Woodford Mansion house tour.
Russet all the way …
Fall florals added sunny yellow beauty to the day.
Sunshine in my cider makes me happy.
Getting my face sparkle-spackled with glitterxbeebop glitter was an event highlight.
Meredith Rebar shows off her bejeweled temple and upper cheek.
From Left, Sharon Kozden and Meredith Rebar take a shine in glitter.
Festgoers had their choice of blankets, Adirondack chairs or picnic tables on (or in) which to relax.
An autumnal afternoon in perfect weather conditions drew a large crowd.
This couple kicked back and sipped while reclining on some comfy chairs.
Vendors were keen to share details about their hard ciders.
Tasters took in specifics about the ciders they sipped.
A Cicerone’s business casual? Where do I apply?!
All the hard cider that’s fit to pour … was poured.
Stacked cans from Succession Fermentory await purchase.
Succession Fermentory from Cochranville, PA made the Sunday scene.
This quintet appears intently engaged.
Ploughman Cider apples are grown in Adams County, PA.
Commonwealth Cider’s Black Cherry Cider looked refreshing on ice.
Nothing gold can stay, particularly a drink that looks this thirst-quenching!
Food, drink and friendship for the win!
Fairmount Park staffer meets up with Fest-goers big and small.
This duo happily honored my request to pose.
IMO, this looked like a sign of apple-icious approval. Tykes keep it real.
What will they think of next on the mother’s little helpers front? Safety first!
A sunnies-studded group struck a pose; only one member missed the incognito memo.
New for 2023 at CiderFest were yoga flows for $5 with Punk Cellist and Monarch Yoga. Here’s a participant.
A yoga instructor from Monarch Yoga leads her class accompanied by The Punk Cellist from his porch perch.
The Punk Cellist waves from the porch as the yogis pose post-class.
Hale & True Cider Co. is a CiderFest regular.
Cider wearable merch featured a witty slogan.
Cheers … and someone needed a refill.
A Patchwork Orange is the title of a poetry book as well as the look of this woman’s long sweater-coat and hair color.
Smiles and waves came freely as did some wonderful fall fashion looks.
Dried Roses is definitely a band I could see live again.
Gear check!
Music, sweet music fills the air.
Where’s her little tambourine? This sweet child is positively mesmerized by the music.
Festgoers enjoy their sips on a gorgeous fall day.
Restaurateur Ange Branca’s Kampar Kitchen featured these gorgeous Malaysian empanada-like stuffed pies for the belly-sating.
Festgoers enjoy a perfect cider accompaniment from Sate Kampar.
Feelin’ the love …
One contented family enjoys the moment.
From Left, Woodford Mansion’s Director of Public Programs John Sigmund and Sharon Kozden with Tillie Rose, the apple of her mom’s eye.
Dad, Mom and pooch enjoy a peaceful day together.
Tillie Rose Kozden offered kisses freely to John Sigmund.
Floofy pup waves a little paw.
Check the tail plumage on this adorable doggie.
You can smell the cider, but no tasting for this pup already looking nap ready.
Making friends wherever she goes, Tillie Rose Kozden is a born lover, not a biter.
Tillie Rose Kozden brought the love during her first time accompanying her mom Sharon Kozden on assignment.
From Left, Fairmont Park Conservancy staffer John Sigmund hangs with Meredith Rebar of Home Brewed Events.
The Philadelphia Orchard Project was on hand to provide cider-pressing demonstrations. Attendees could take a turn with the wheel.
One sharp-looking knife is carefully wielded while prepping apples for the cider press.
The Corn Hole Toss is a standard feature at CiderFest and a real calorie-burner to boot.
I haven’t played this game since I was a kid. Maybe in 2024?
From Left, Meredith Rebar, Sharon Kozden and Tillie Rose Kozden are blessed and know it.
Leaving the event, I was waved off by Cyrus Edwin Dallin’s The Medicine Man.
Flaming fall foliage fronts a cloudless blue sky as backdrop.
Home Brewed Events recently introduced a new logo design in honor of its tenth year.
