Thursday
April 25, 2024 
Terhune Orchards asks you to help make the 2023 season great by joining in from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, for its annual Wassailing Celebration.
The ancient Anglo-Saxon tradition of wassailing the trees began in England where many villages relied on the apple harvest. Knowing that the spring buds are on the trees in the winter, it was thought that creating a racket in winter would scare away bad spirits and ensure an excellent harvest in autumn.
Terhune, located at 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, N.J., follows this tradition by opening the apple orchards to visitors in winter with much fanfare and merriment to ensure a good harvest in the coming year. Wassail is an ancient Saxon word that means “health be to you,” and it’s the health of the trees that participants will celebrate.
Participants will gather under the bare branches of trees in the orchard that are over a century old. Handsome Molly dancers dressed in traditional garb of black costumes play an important role in the festivities each year. Kingsessing Morris dancers also will join in the dancing with their white garb and festive feathers.
Everyone will join in with chanting and music-making, toasts of hot cider and placing gifts of cider-soaked bread in the tree branches while chanting the lively words of praise for the new year. Bring noisemakers — drums, whistles, bells, clackers, or put a few pebbles in an empty coffee can with a lid. These will make a joyful and worthy noise to drive away any and all spirits.
Once that is done, participants are invited to gather around the bonfire to roast marshmallows and enjoy a free cup of Terhune’s hot apple cider and apple cider donuts.
Spice Punch will perform old traditional songs and ballads on the Wine Barn porch. The wine barn will be open with limited indoor seat and plentiful outdoor seating at Terhune’s fire pits. Enjoy wine tastings and light fare. Toast the upcoming apple season with a glass of Terhune’s Apple Wine, made with apple cider.
The farm store will be open for fresh produce, baked goods and local gourmet items. Stop at the Barn Door Café for light fare and treats.
Wassailing the Apple Trees Farm Festival is free and open to the public. Dress warmly. For information, visit Terhune Orchards online or call 609-924-2310.
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