Gladesville, New South Wales residents will be among volunteers to help out at this year’s Granny Smith Festival.
The major event celebrates the introduction of Granny Smith apples into everyday life by Maria Ann Smith, known as Granny Smith.
The fruit was among the crop she cultivated on her family’s small orchard located in nearby Eastwood which they purchased in 1855-56 after arriving from Beckley, East Sussex.
Two years after her discovery, Granny Smith died but local planters including Edward Gallard continued to produce her apple variety. Its widespread popularity however did not occur until after the Smith’s Seedling was exhibited at the Castle Hill Agricultural and Horticultural Show in 1890 and a year later when the Granny Smith’s Seedling entry won the prize for best cooking apples.
In more recent years the local government area of the City of Ryde, of which Eastwood and Gladesville are a part, has celebrated the legacy left by Maria Ann Smith by staging the annual Granny Smith Festival.
A City of Ryde Events Team spokesperson said the event attracts over 85,000 people each year and volunteers were important to helping them celebrate the history, food and culture of the area.
The festival begins with a street parade and will culminate with a fireworks display and family concert, according to local flyer printing about the event.
The Granny Smith Festival will be held on October 17.
