NEBRASKA CITY - The theme for the AppleJack Festival 2020 is “any way you slice it” and officials at Arbor Day Farm are saying Wednesday’s fire is further evidence that the annual festival is offering a slice of resiliency.

While at the scene of fire Wednesday that threatened the historic apple house, Arbor Day Farm Vice President Austin Mackrill said the festival will go on.

 Mackrill: “We couldn’t be more excited to be part of this community and we’re going to do what we can to gather and rally within 48 hours  and we’re going to pull this off. We’ve got a great team here and we’re going to figure this out.”

Mackrill said Arbor Day Farm is reaching out to tent companies and hopes to pull some festival activities outside, such as the barbecue and pie house. The wine tasting could be moved to the historic barns, which are just across the campus.

 

Mackrill: “This is obviously a year where everybody has had to deal with hardships that we’re just not used to. This is one that we weren’t getting ready for, but it’s something that we’ve already met as a team tonight and we try to see blessings in disguise. We think there is some silver lining here to band together as a team, resiliency through hardship and we’re looking forward to seeing what we can do to continue to service the community.”

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, AppleJack Festival events have been spread out over four weekends.

This weekend’s events include a fun run, bull riding, water barrel fights, car show and 1 p.m. parade.

Arbor Day Farm, which includes the Tree Adventure and the new Treetop Village, has craft shows at the barns. The new conservation trail west of the Lied Lodge will be open.