Vashon will celebrate Ciderfest this weekend with activities throughout Saturday.

Several groups are involved, ranging from the Vashon Fruit Club to the island’s cideries, with the Vashon-Maury Island Chamber of Commerce serving as the coordinating sponsor. Executive Director Jim Marsh recently talked about the value of the annual celebration, which has evolved over the years.

“Everyone on Vashon has an apple tree or can walk along the road and pick apples,” he said. “Apples and apple cider are tied to our heritage and to our small farms.”

The Vashon Island Fruit Club will press local apples and sell fresh cider and apple crisp from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Vashon Village, across from the Vashon Library. Apple experts Emily MacRae and Bob Norton will be available for people who would like to bring their own apples for identification. The club will also take orders for apple trees well suited to Vashon-Maury islands, according to information the chamber provided.

The Vashon Island Growers Association will also be busy from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for its Harvest Festival in the Village Green. Activities there will include the annual Veggie Peep Show, sack and three-legged races, a dog trick and dog/owner look-alike contest and an opportunity for people to press their own apples.

Vashon Island Fire & Rescue will host its annual open house at Station 55 on Bank Road from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Islanders of all ages are welcome to stop by to talk with fire district staff, and kids are invited to jump in bounce houses and check out the district’s fire trucks. There will also be a demonstration by Airlift Northwest, and representatives from the island’s disaster preparedness community will be on hand, providing information and available to answer questions.

The island’s cideries will also be open for tastings and tours.

Dragon’s Head will be open for orchard tours and tastings from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 18201 107th Ave. SW. Nashi Orchards, at 24507 Wax Orchard Road, will offer a tour at 10 a.m. and keep its tasting room open until 5 p.m. The Vashon Island Growers Association will offer Vashon Heritage Cider Tasting from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Lodges on Vashon at 17205 Vashon Hwy. At that event, Dragon’s Head Cider, Nashi Orchards, Alpenfire, Liberty Ciderworks and Whitewood Cider will all offer cider samples, and Orca Eats will provide food.

For more information about Ciderfest, see vashonchamber.com or call the chamber at 206-463-6217.