Apple Country just outside of Idalou are known for their delicious German apple cake, apple butter, and nowhere it could have come from but the delicious apples grown at the orchard. The apple butter they make prompts the Apple Butter Festival, fun for family and friends.

“There’s apple picking, hay rides, and then we have live music all day long, for Saturday and Sunday.”

Tucker Crawford, owner of Apple Country apple orchard said that although it is focused on the kids, Crawford is excited to be focusing on another aspect of the event.

“The Texas Boys Ranch is providing the barbeque for the apple butter festival this weekend, and the benefits will be going to the boys ranch.” Nudelman said.

Michael Nudelman specializes in development at the Texas Boys Ranch and said that they will cook the brisket, and that they are excited for such a special event.

“Oh it’s huge.” Nudelman said. “Getting the community involved, we need as many good people as possible to help out the boys and girls at the Texas Boys Ranch.”

Crawford said Apple Country wants to help the Texas Boys Ranch because they are a non profit organization, he said he is passionate about the chance to get to work with the Texas Boys Ranch, and this union between them happened by chance.

“It felt like an opportunity that we were at the right place at the right time.” Crawford said.

This year is the 20th anniversary of the apple butter festival. Crawford said this year there is quite the variety of apples to be picked, there will also be an apple slingshot, and apple turnovers with ice cream, which will also benefit the Texas Boys Ranch, but Crawford says that’s not all..

“We have vendors as well,” Crawford said. “The vendors will be set up and there’s any thing from homemade crafts to homemade ice cream, and also homemade cheeses and things like that.”

Crawford said he is more than happy to join the Texas Boys Ranch in this event because it holds a special place in his heart.

“We want to help people realize what they do but that they do it very well.” Crawford said.

Crawford said he has high expectations for smiles and fun, and also, he said normally five to seven thousand people to come to the event.

TC: “This year we’re anticipating a great turnout. We really want to have as many people come out because we really want to give back as much as we can to Texas Boys Ranch.”

Crawford said the more involvment in hayrides, apple picking, and the benefit lunch they will have, the more they can donate to the ranch.