In 1980, David Thomas, then owner and proprietor of the Fairfield Inn, had an idea born of his dedication to the community of Fairfield and its heritage. As a way to bring townspeople together, he invited local clubs and school groups to participate in a community-wide celebration of the apple harvest. As a small town with a strong sense of community, the citizens of Fairfield were eager to support the idea. An all-day street festival was planned.

The earliest apple tree brought from England and cultivated in the colonies was the Pippin apple tree, grown by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Because Fairfield was named for Fairfield, England, and was settled in part by English immigrants, in 1982 a Pippin apple tree was planted behind the Fairfield Inn with local fanfare and ceremony. The tree still stands today, and bears delicious fruit every fall.

And Pippinfest, which literally means "apple festival" is still going strong, over three decades later! Over the years, the festival has offered attendees a wonderful day of crafts, food, and fun! School groups and musical groups offer entertainment. Boy Scouts, church groups, and the local Lions Club, among others, provide delectible treats. Pippinfest, from its earliest days to the present, has been a town-wide celebration of community, the harvest, and tradition.