By Theresa Garee

John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, was famous for crossing the Midwest, planting and tending apple orchards.

The story of Johnny Appleseed has been told far and wide, often changing or being embellished, but the goal of telling the story is to teach the history of apples.

Teaching history is rooted in Groveport’s traditional Apple Butter Day festival as well.

“The Groveport Heritage Society created Apple Butter Day to pay tribute to the town’s pioneer past and to educate people about what life was like in Groveport and nearby farms in the 19th and 20th centuries.” former editor Rick Palsgrove wrote in his article in 2024.

The 52nd Annual Apple Butter Day will be no different. Apple Butter will be made over a fire, entertainment will be shared, vendors will sell their wares, and kids will have sweets.

Where do the apples used to make the famous apple butter on Apple Butter Day come from?

“When the festival began in 1974, we used “drop” apples from an orchard and it took several hours for them to cook down,” Carla Cramer, of the Groveport Heritage Society, said.

Nowadays, Cramer says the apple butter is made with apple sauce to save on time, apple sauce from Cooper’s Mill.

The tradition has changed a bit, but passing on the knowledge of the traditions has not.

Just like planting an orchard, Groveport has succeeded in planting a tradition that is looked forward to by current and past residents and visitors.

To see the complete list of the day’s activities please visit www.groveport.org.