The 48th annual Lafayette Apple Festival returns this weekend after a year off due to the pandemic.

About 20 non-profit and community groups from southern Onondaga County will serve everything from apple fritters to cider donuts.  Most of the proceeds will go back to support groups like Pop Warner teams or parishes in the area.

In the past, this two-day festival has seen as many as 30,000 people come to town.

Organizers said this year, 11 tents will be filled with about 400 vendors selling things from home decor to small jewelry. Many of the same vendors come back year after year, while this year, you’ll find some new faces.

“We do have quite a few new crafters. We did have some folks who retired due to the COVID situation, so some of them are not here,” said LaFayette Apple Festival Treasurer Dave Knapp. “But we have a whole bunch of new ones who came, so we’ll have an even better variety on the craft front.

“We’re just looking forward to people coming down again.”

There will be plenty of rides and games for kids, but one of the more popular events of the festival is the annual pancake breakfast that will take place from 7-11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Officials are asking all guests to wear masks in the tents and buildings, regardless of vaccination status.

The hours for the Lafayette Apple Festival are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday.

Admission is $6 at the gate while children 12 and younger are free. Parking is, as always, free.

For a full list of all the events happening, visit LaFayetteApplefest.org.