BUSTI – Busti’s Old Fashioned Christmas Open House will be held Sunday from 2 to 6:30 p.m. at the Busti Historical Society grounds, 3443 Lawson Road, Jamestown.

Admission is by donation.

“We hope the community comes out to see the beautiful Miller House lit up for Christmas and enjoy live music by a local Dulcimer group, buy some holiday cookies either singly or by the pound and shop at the holiday market. There will be craft activities for the children in the museum one-room schoolhouse exhibit and they can send a letter to Santa in the Busti Post Office,” said Joni Blackman, Director, “we are planning on adding a train ride activity as well.”

New this year, there will be a wreath making workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. The cost is $15 and reservations are required by Thursday by calling 716-483-3670.

Busti Historical Society Board of Trustees said the 50th 50th Apple Festival was a success. The festival is managed and presented by volunteers. The Board of Trustees and dedicated volunteers work throughout the year to make the pies, clean the buildings, maintain the grounds and obtain sponsorships and donations. The Apple Festival proceeds provide the funds needed to manage the society throughout the year.

“We think we had close to 6,500 to 7,000 guests at the Apple Festival this year,” said Carl Schultz, board president, “it was a great weekend despite the rain.”

More than 100 vendors, 17 food vendors and 18 old-time craft demonstrators filled the Busti Historical Society campus. The vendors sold artwork, holiday decor, organic foods, handmade soaps and lotions, fresh pickles of many flavors and pet treats.

The hands-on craft demonstrators worked with the visitors to show them how to press cider, make baskets, do embroidery, quilt and run the society’s printing press. Experts on long guns were showing off their antiques and board members were teaching carpentry and flax making. A new craft demonstrator was showing how to cut stones. The demonstration barn was spruced up for the event. It was painted and new displays were installed to better teach about life in rural western New York in the latter half of the 1800s.

A children’s old fashioned toy area was also set up. Children of all ages enjoyed trying to get the ball in the cup, figure out Jacob’s ladder and spin a thaumatrope. Visitors filled the barn throughout the festival learning all about past daily activities.

The museum and miller’s house were both constantly busy throughout the festival teaching about Busti’s local history and the miller’s family. The miller’s house is a work in progress. Volunteers are working on restoring it to its 1850s elegance.

“Thank you to the Southwestern Honor Society students and the Jamestown Rifle Club volunteering in the Country Store, the Mill, the Museum, the admission gates and throughout the festival,” Schultz said. “I especially thank the board members for their hours of work prior to, during and after the festival.”