Miller's Orchard in Nappanee has a big job.
"The festival was sort of built around the apple orchard. And ever since then became this partnership where our orchard would supply the apple bins that are out there for festival goers to enjoy," says Nicole Beer, Miller's Orchard.
This orchard is the sole provider of apples for the annual Apple Festival. It's something the Miller family's done for years, but spokesperson Beer says this year the job was a challenge.
"Here at Miller's Orchard we lost our entire crop."
Early warm weather ruined the apple crop, leaving the rows of trees nearly bare. But what's an Apple Festival without apples?
"There will be plenty of apples for the Apple Festival this year. We've really made sure we take care of all the apple festival goers," says Beer.
Typically, they farm 3,000 bushels of apples a year. So Miller's is used to having to look elsewhere for additional apples.
"Because of our orchard's size, we bring in apples for other local orchard's here and supplement with that," says Beer.
The problem this year was that the usual providers were also short.
"Our climate here just really ruined the crop for everybody," she says.
To make sure there would be enough apples for the festival they had to get creative.
"We've been in a pretty stressful crunch over the last several months to find apples to use," says Beer.
After calling several new providers outside of the area, owner Nelson Miller secured enough apples for the festival, but it may look a little different this year for visitors.
"We have half the amount of cider that we would normally have. And prices will be up on apples, and apple cider and all apple products," says Miller.
Prices may be a higher this year, but both Beer and Miller say the festival that so many enjoy, is sure to be a success.
