Over 1,000 of the 1,500 apple pies have been prepped as of Thursday afternoon for Saturday’s Fall Apple Day Festival on Fort Riley.

The Historical and Archaeological Society of Fort Riley has been preparing for the annual festival for months now and with it just days away this years Pie Queen’s are glad it’s finally here.

“This has been a long time coming, since about April, and the fact that we can see all of the hard work being done and the smiles on people’s faces when they get those pies, it’s a good feeling,” said Alison Kohtz, Co-Pie Queen.

This year HASFR is preparing only 1,500 apple pies compared to the 2,000 from years past, and part of that is due to the heightened security measures to get on post. However, they are still expecting a good turnout according to Danielle Alch, Co-Pie Queen.

“The Officials here at Fort Riley are very hopeful with the numbers being quite high again. Our concern was the new security regulations for entering and leaving post, that we would have a lesser number in the crowds this year. That’s why we reduced our numbers slightly, just to compensate for reduction in crowds, because we would have hated to have extra pies that weren’t enjoyed,” said Alch.

All visitors without a DoD I.D. Card must go to the visitors center located at the Henry Gate located off of I-70 to receive a day pass.

The Festival is held on the Artillery Parade Field, and there will be different military displays set up on the parade field including the MP’s with their dogs and the Commanding Generals Mounted Color Guard.

The pies are special to Fort Riley as they are made using Libby Custer’s personal recipe, and there for the recipe is kept a secret.

Saturday’s event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free and open to the public.