Pictured: A performer from Handsome Molly Dancers.
Raise a glass of cider with the Mount family on Sunday, Jan. 25 from 1 to 4 p.m. at their annual Wassailing Party, which honors an ancient tradition from the cider-making regions of southern and western England.
Wassail is an ancient Saxon word that means “health be to you,” and it’s the health of the trees that Terhune Orchards will celebrate. Wassailing was usually held on Twelfth Night, when communities would gather in the apple orchard and perform rituals to drive away evil spirits and ensure a successful apple crop for the next year. The tree’s health was toasted with warm cider, passed in a bucket. The custom was especially important during a period when laborer’s wages were partially paid in hard apple cider. Landlords needed a strong apple crop to attract good workers.
The festivities will include dancing and singing by the Handsome Molly Dancers and reenactments of old English rituals, such as hanging gifts of cider-soaked bread in the apple tree branches while chanting words of praise for the new year. The group Spiced Punch will perform traditional music using violins and flutes all afternoon in the farm store. Free refreshments include hot cider and homemade cider donuts. Visitors can keep warm next to a campfire (roasting marshmallows included) or in the farm store.
Terhune’s winery tasting room will be open to serve hot mulled wine and snacks. Wine writer Charlie Toms will visit the tasting room and sign copies of his latest book “Road to the Vineyard: Cruising Through New Jersey Wine Country.” The book features Terhune Orchards and many other wine producers across the state.
Terhune Orchards is located at 330 Cold Soil Road in Lawrence, New Jersey. For more information call 924-1310.
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