Hail has wrecked havoc on many local fruit trees this summer, but the hardy apple will still deliver this Sunday at the annual Apple Days festival at Buckley Park. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature gallons of fresh-pressed cider, live music, tasty eats, games, demos and, of course, a pie-eating contest.

According to the National Weather Service, which apparently is updating its info despite the federal government shutdown because it is necessary to protect life and property, we can expect Sunday to be sunny with temperatures in the mid-60s. At least the weather gods seem apt to give us a pleasant day to enjoy what wasn’t destroyed by their pummeling earlier in the season. I don’t know about other area gardens, but ours looked like it had been run through the spin cycle. But apples grow so prolifically here, there is still an ample supply available.

Proceeds from Sunday’s shindig go to benefit Growing Partners of the Southwest, an organization that works tirelessly to make fresh grown produce available to all. Their contribution to expanding the Needham Elementary School garden is just one of the many noteworthy projects the group has been involved with.

Come show your support of local food and get in on one of the last festivals of the season to enliven Durango before Snowdown.