"It's more than a reunion."

That's how Andrew Erbes describes the Murphysboro Apple Festival.

For as long as Andrew can remember, his family has been building elaborate Apple Festival parade floats. When I asked how his family celebrates the festival, his answer was simple: they celebrate by being involved.

Today, Andrew volunteers as emcee of the Miss Apple Festival Pageant, and his daughter, Marcella, is a former Apple Festival Princess.

Fun fact: Andrew's mom, Julie Erbes, also served as an Apple Festival Princess.

One of the things I've admired from a distance about Andrew is his emotional connection to both the Apple Festival and the town of Murphysboro. Through his writing over the years, I've realized that he and I have something in common—we're both overly fond of things. Maybe that's why we're both a little overly involved.

You wouldn't know it from this particular edit, but we both cried during the interview. Sometimes caring deeply about a place, its people, and its traditions has a way of doing that.

Thank you, Andrew and Marcella, for sharing your Murphysboro Apple Festival story.