This coming weekend marks the 22nd Annual Apple Butter Festival to benefit the Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department.

We at The Shepherdstown Chronicle hope that many in town and beyond will come out to support those who serve this and surrounding communities every day.

The festival serves as the department’s largest single-day fundraiser each year, and the work is done entirely by volunteers.

And this work we’re talking about? Producing the apple butter, of course.

For days, these firemen and volunteers from Shepherd University and the community have been peeling, steaming, grinding and stirring apples.

From beginning to end, these men and women of the Shepherdstown Fire Department make this apple butter from the heart.

And apple butter isn’t all that will be on hand at this year’s festival.

Other items for sale include arts and crafts, baked goods and food from local vendors.

Breakfast will be served from 6 to 11 a.m., with lunch starting at 11:30 a.m.

Here’s to hoping the weather cooperates and there will be enough apple butter to go around.