Jersey's annual Cider Festival, La Faîs'sie d'Cidre, returns to Hamptonne Country Life Museum this weekend. Sponsored by Ogier, La Faîs'sie d'Cidre, celebrates the island's history of cider making and takes place on Saturday and Sunday, 14-15 October.
To help minimise the impact of event on the quiet lanes surrounding the Jersey Heritage site, this year's festival will also see the return of the "Apple Bus" to transport festival goers to and from the popular event in St Lawrence. Visitors are also encouraged to walk, cycle, or car share.
Kate Kirk, Ogier's marketing director, said: "Throughout 2023, Ogier has partnered with Jersey Heritage to offer a series of family learning events and activities. The Cider Festival not only celebrates a rich part of Jersey history, it also turns the tradition into an experience that everyone can be a part of, which keeps Jersey's traditions alive."
The two-day festival includes delicious food, a fantastic line-up of live music, nature activities in the orchard with naturalist Stephen Le Quesne and much more.
Nicky Lucas, Jersey Heritage's Community Events Curator, said: "Our annual Cider Festival, La Faîs'sie d'Cidre, is one of our most popular events and the stars of the show are always our volunteers, who use the traditional horse-drawn crusher and wooden press to make the cider. With its farming history dating back hundreds of years, Hamptonne is the ideal location for us to celebrate our cider making heritage.
"Onsite parking is limited so we are asking people to find alternative ways to travel to the festival. The Apple Bus will be making regular trips to Hamptonne from Liberation Square and we hope everyone jumps onboard or finds other 'green' ways to enjoy La Faîs'sie d'Cidre."
An exciting addition to the 2023 festival line up is the opportunity to explore the new museum space at Hamptonne and visit the inaugural exhibition.
"Wild Islands – Through the Lens" celebrates Channel Islands' biodiversity through the work of local photographers and opens on Saturday, 14 October, the first day of the Cider Festival.
Chris Addy, Jersey Heritage's Sites Curator, said: "More than 40 talented photographers from Jersey and Guernsey have contributed to this wonderful exhibition, which is the first to take place in our new museum space at Hamptonne. There are almost 200 images, capturing the incredible range of biodiversity we have in the Channel Islands, from birds, insects and mammals, to wildflowers, fungi and sea life."
Fine out more about La Faîs'sie d'Cidre at www.jerseyheritage.org.
Disabled parking is available at Hamptonne and a donation of £2 is suggested for anyone using the Apple Bus.
Normal entry fees for Hamptonne apply, with free entry for Jersey Heritage Members and children under six years old.