Photo by John H. Meyer The Old Grace Church, built in 1844, has been the scene of town meetings, celebrations, festivals, worship and burials. The Historical Society of the Massapequas continues to keep the tradition alive with the exception of any religious services in the old church.

The fall harvest committee begins the planning several weeks before the event is open to the public.

The Friday before the fall event, there is a three-hour drive to and from the Anderson Farm in Riverhead to pick up the produce and the festival begins to take shape. The following morning the produce and apples are brought to the historic complex where they are arranged on long tables that have been placed under tents by the local Boy Scouts who help out every year. Homemade

fruit pies, apple shortcake and jelly apples are a big part of the festival along with the soda and hot dog stand. The vendors begin to set up their wares very early also. Arts and crafts, homemade preserves, jewelry, tshirts

and creative yard signs all added to an old-fashioned festival atmosphere. There were plenty of events to keep the little festival-goers busy including sand art, face painting and art contests supervised by the young society members and they were well-attended. Tours of the complex were conducted by Society members that included Massapequa's first library, The Old Grace Church, the Floyd-Jones Cottage/ Museum and the old cemetery where Major Thomas Jones, Massapequa's first white settler is buried along with many other families dating back to the 1600s.

The apples, baked goods and the produce sold out as the four o'clock closing bell in the church's bell tower began to chime.

For information about joining the Society or upcoming events, call 798-8047.