Weekend festivals to celebrate apple season

By Lori Johnston

For the AJC


The start of apple harvest season brings about weekend festivals, which in turn, lead to appetizing apple dishes. So in addition to music, dancing, children’s activities, and arts and crafts vendors, expect to see, smell and taste plenty of fresh apples, fried apple pies, apple cider, apple butter, caramel apples, apple slushies and hundreds of other amazing apple samples.

Here are five apple festivals in the Southeast, scheduled from Labor Day weekend to mid-October.

Georgia Apple Festival

Where: Ellijay

When: Oct. 10-11 and Oct. 17-18 (9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays)

What’s planned: More than 300 craft and food vendors; on-site craft demonstrations; antique car show (Oct. 10); parade (Oct. 17). In its 38th year.

Who’s coming: More than 30,000 people attended previous festivals

Cost: $5 (children under 10 free)

Info: 706-636-4500, www.
georgiaapplefestival.org

South Carolina 
Apple Festival

Where: Westminster, S.C.

When: Sept. 11-12 (11 a.m-8 p.m.)

What’s planned: Parade, talent show, clogging performances, apple baking contests, live music, craft booths, kids’ rides, car show and road race. IRPA World Championship Rodeo also scheduled (that cost is $12 adults, $5 children). In its 49th year.

Who’s coming: About 10,000 to 12,000 expected.

Cost: Free

Info: 864-647-7223, www.westminstersc.com/festival.htm

North Carolina 
Apple Festival

Where: Hendersonville, N.C.

When: Sept. 4-7 (10 a.m.-10 p.m., with street fair ending at 8 p.m.)

What’s planned: Hundreds of arts and crafts vendors and 14 growers with booths on nine blocks; parade and antique aircraft fly-by; apple recipe and cooking contests; kids’ activities; clogging and other dance performances; and rock, big band and Motown bands. In its 63rd year.

Who’s coming: 220,000 attended last year’s festival

Cost: Free

Info: 828-697-4557, www.ncapplefestival.org

Unicoi County 
Apple Festival

Where: Erwin, Tenn.

When: Oct. 2-3 (8 a.m.-8 p.m.)

What’s planned: More than 350 food and craft vendors (including Blue Ridge pottery show and sale); apple cooking contests; music stages with gospel, bluegrass, country and contemporary Christian bands; clogging and other dance performances; children’s rides and games; photography contest; road race. In its 32nd year.

Who’s coming: More than 100,000 people expected.

Cost: Free

Info: 423-743-3000, www.unicoicounty.org/applefest.php

Brushy Mountain Apple Festival

Where: North Wilkesboro, N.C.

When: Oct. 3 (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) (Pre-festival Apple Jam on Oct. 2 with live music)

What’s planned: More than 425 arts and crafts vendors; 100 food vendors; stages with bluegrass, country, folk, gospel and Appalachian heritage musicians; clogging, square dancing and more.

Who’s coming: More than 160,000 people expected.

Cost: Free

Info: 336-984-3022, www.applefestival.net