On Sunday 4 October 2026, the fourth Apple Feast took place at the Day Centre in Strážky. The weather was kind to us, and visitors enjoyed homemade treats, competitions and activities for all generations. Everyone could find something for themselves and enjoy a pleasant autumn afternoon. 🍎

🐝 Bees, honey and making apple cider vinegar

What does a beekeeper's work involve? Iľja Grudinin explained it during his talk about bees. He showed visitors beekeeping tools and protective clothing, and used videos to show the life of bees. A honey tasting was not missing either. 🍯

The demonstration of how to make apple cider vinegar was interesting too. The civic association Trochu inak showed how it is prepared and explained how it can be used not only in cooking but also for household cleaning.

🎯 Apple competitions and a good dose of exercise

At the Apple Feast there was not only tasting but also competing. FACE CLUB prepared outdoor activities where visitors could try giant hockey sticks, archery, disc golf, axe throwing, a giant Jenga tower or cornhole. There was also bingo for children.

Apple competitions were not missing either. Visitors tested their strength in apple eating and in fishing apples out of a container of water using only their mouths, without the help of their hands. There was also a contest for the longest apple peel. 🍏

Children joined a treasure hunt in which they searched for 10 different words. A reward awaited them for a completed card. 🍬

🎨 Crafts and fun for children

Kráčame spolu and Hernička prepared a children's corner, creative workshops and Montessori activities. Volunteers from FACE CLUB also took care of face painting and a scarecrow photo corner where visitors could have their picture taken as a keepsake. 📸

🥧 Homemade treats on one table

Homemade treats are an essential part of the Apple Feast. These were prepared by the Union of Pensioners of Slovakia (Jednota dôchodcov Slovenska). Visitors tasted muffins, apple roses and other apple delicacies, as well as pancakes with apple purée.

More refreshments were provided by FACE CLUB, which prepared popcorn and a hot apple drink.

🏆 Who got the most votes for their apple cake?

One of the most anticipated items on the programme was the competition for the best apple cake. This year 13 cakes entered, and the visitors themselves decided the result. Everyone received one voting slip and could use it to support their favourite.

Ranking by visitors' votes:

🥇 1st place – the Šimkuláková family: a Klarstein food processor, donated by Mayor Peter Zibura

🥈 2nd place – the Andrášová family: a €50 voucher for Salaš u Franka

🥉 3rd place – the Spirčáková family: a Sencor hand blender

Congratulations to the winners, and thank you to everyone who baked a cake and joined the competition. ❤️

🙌 Who was behind the event

The Apple Feast was organised by Expression o. z., FACE CLUB, the Pôjd education centre, the Hernička mother and child centre, Kráčame spolu, the civic association Trochu inak, the Union of Pensioners of Slovakia and the town of Spišská Belá.

Thanks go to all the organisations for their cooperation and to the volunteers for their time and help with the preparation and during the event itself.

🍎 They supported us

Big thanks also go to those who supported us with materials or money. Marko Tatry donated fresh pears and pumpkins, JJ Flordekor heather plants and Kaviareň K23 syrups for drinks. Iľja Grudinin donated honey for the competition, Belanské stavebniny contributed financially towards prizes for both the children's and adults' competitions, and ZŠ J. M. Petzvala (J. M. Petzval Primary School) shared apples from its own harvest.

The event was supported by grants from the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic in the area of youth work, administered by NIVAM – the National Institute of Education and Youth. The project was also supported from the budget of the Prešov Self-Governing Region.

Thank you to everyone who came, joined in the activities, tasted the homemade treats or simply enjoyed a shared autumn Sunday. We look forward to the next Apple Feast! 🍂