Fighting First!!!!
Saturday was a lovely day and the hubs and I decided to go to the advertised Apple Day Festival at nearby Fort Riley. We didn’t know what to expect but sounded like a fun way to spend a Saturday. (ED. NOTE – I mean, we kinda expected soldiers and artillery. The apple pies were a bonus!!!) We stopped at the Visitor’s Center to get passes for base, then drove to the parking area and followed the crowd to the parade grounds. As we walked, I noticed the cream colored brick buildings throughout the base and assumed it was old. Fort Riley houses the 1st Infantry Division known as “The Big Red One” which was organized in 1917. In 1853, the fort was established as one of those across the country to train and equip soldiers to help defend the trails as settlers moved west. (ED. NOTE – Well, we’re gonna skip over the whole decimating the bison thing, and the Custer stuff. But being ground zero for the 1918 Spanish flu really is quite an accomplishment!!!)
The Apple Day Festival has been held annually at least since 2014.
Down one side of the Artillery Parade grounds were tents set up with battalions selling different food items – many with an “apple” component – apple fritters, apple pie cookies, apple cupcakes, along with the yummy “fair” foods. (ED. NOTE – the fritters were tasty!!!)
A re-enactment area and cavalry demonstration were past the food tents; there were also tents with items to buy and the famous apple pie tent with homemade pies from the Historical and Archeological Society of Fort Riley. The pies were made with Libby Custer’s own recipe!!! As you came to the other side of the parade grounds, tanks, trucks and humvees were set out for visitors (many, many children) to climb in and around with soldiers posted to help out. We could see inside one of the tanks and the inside is soooo small! I can’t imagine being in there with 3 other people.
There was also a working dog demonstration which was fun to watch.
The parade grounds were surrounded by beautiful, old houses that I believe are officer homes. 
And down the hill was a demonstration firing range.
All in all, it was a fun and interesting day!
This WAS interesting Pam~makes me want an apple pie, fritter, even a plain apple😏
Enjoyed reading this post and the pictures were great! I remember visiting Fort Riley when Rick and Shalene were stationed there. I especially loved the old houses.