Terhune Orchards Wassailing Party Set for Jan. 29

Editor's Note: The following is a news release issued by .

Joint the Mount family Jan. 29 from 1 to 4 p.m. for their annual Wassailing Party, a celebration that follows the British tradition of wassailing the apple trees to protect them from harm and bring a successful crop for the next season. 

The party is free and open to the public. One of Terhune Orchards’ most popular events, the festivities will include dancing and singing by the Handsome Molly Dancers and reenactments of traditional old English rituals. Everyone joins in with chanting and music making, hanging gifts of cider-soaked bread in the tree branches while chanting lively words of praise for the New Year. 

Live music will be provided by the Spice Punch. The group will play traditional music using violins and flutes of many kinds all afternoon in Terhune’s farm store. 

Free refreshments include hot cider and homemade cider donuts. Visitors can warm themselves next to a campfire (roasting marshmallows included) or in the farm store. Our winery tasting room will be open and we will be serving hot mulled wine and snacks. Farm wagon rides will be offered, weather permitting.

Wassailing is an ancient tradition from the cider-making regions of southern and western England.  It is usually held on Twelfth Night.  People would gather in the apple orchard and perform rituals to drive away evil spirits and ensure a successful apple crop for the next year.  Guns were fired through the branches to scare off any evil spirits lurking there, and 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.  Wassailing was meant to keep the tree safe from evil spirits until the next year’s apples appeared.

Terhune Orchards is located at 330 Cold Soil Rd. in Lawrence Township. Plenty of parking is available at the farm. For more information call (609) 924-1310.

for photos and a video from last year's wassailing event at Terhune Orchards.