Apples will be ripe for crushing at an upcoming autumnal event in Langley.

Woodhaven High School, in partnership with South Whidbey CARES Coalition, invites the community to the Fall Festival and Cider Press from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 19 at the South Whidbey Community Center’s lower field.

The event, which began as a way for the alternative high school to introduce itself to neighbors in 2019, has grown in size. About 25 other organizations, including Sound Water Stewards, Master Gardeners and Sno-Isle Libraries, plan to be present. Attendees can visit a petting zoo full of domestic and farm animals or listen to live music by Rubatano Marimba.

And of course, don’t forget to bring your own container to take home some of the golden ambrosia that is fresh-pressed apple cider.

Marli Jenkins, an administrator for Woodhaven, said students have been collecting fruit from all over South Whidbey, from Langley to the Maxwelton Valley.

“That’s what makes it wonderful cider, is that there are so many varieties of apples,” she said.

It takes 25 pounds of apples to make one gallon of cider. Jenkins said they currently have about 3,200 pounds, but she expects closer to 4,000 by Saturday.

“It’s not something you would just put together to make yourself a gallon of cider,” she said. “It’s quite a bit of work.”

People can bring their own backyard apples and opt to work the press themselves.

“It is always so fun,” Jenkins said. “It’s like a party when you get that marimba music going.”

South Whidbey CARES Coalition will host a drug takeback as part of the event, where people can turn in their old or unused prescriptions for safe disposal.

There will also be other family-friendly activities, such as the chance to explore a firetruck brought by South Whidbey Fire/EMS or the Tesla brought by the Langley Police Department.

Photo provided Woodhaven freshmen Carl Kohlhaas, left, and Carter Kalb use apple pickers to reach fresh produce.