Ellijay is the apple capital of the state where tree-ripened mountain apples remain a popular commodity each year. Many Atlantans make the annual hour-and-a-half trek to appreciate the not-so forbidden fruit and experience these and other gardens of eating.
Georgia Apple Festival
Now in its 41st year this celebration allows a variety of area apple growers to spotlight the literal fruits of their labor. However, the festival is primarily made up of more than 300 arts and crafts vendors, many selling a wide range of hand-crafted wares. Woodwork, photography, jewelry, metal work and quilts are just a few of the items available. Arrive with an empty stomach as festival food, including kettle corn, brats, funnel cakes and more, abounds. Catch special festival events such as an antique car show on October 13 at the Gilmer County Civic Center. The Apple Festival 5K Road Race and one mile run begins at 8 a.m. October 13 at Ellijay Elementary School. Registration is $20. Many will be gathering their broods to watch the Georgia Apple Festival Parade, which steps off 10 a.m. October 20. Parking at the festival is free, although a $2 donation benefitting the local Boys Scouts of America troop is suggested.
9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 13; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 14; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 20; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 21. $5; free ages 10 and younger. Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds, 1729 S. Main St., Ellijay. 706-635-7400, www.georgiaapplefestival.org.
B.J. Reece Apple House
This sprawling farm lays claim to 120 acres of apple orchards. Guests reach into the trees and pick their own apples on 50 of those acres. They’ll find Rome Beauties, Golden Delicious apples, Stayman Winesaps, and crisp and Arkansas Blacks. It costs $2 to enter the you-pick orchards, and bags of apples are $6 and $10 each. On Saturdays and Sundays families can make an afternoon out of it with several other activities. Fire apples from a cannon for $5 a bucket (10 to 15 apples) or $1 for three apples. Folks can cruise the grounds aboard a wagon ride and meet the denizens of the petting farm. Both attractions are $3 each, and ages 3 and younger are free. Also on Saturdays and Sundays the staff whips up grub for sale including hamburgers and barbecue. The Bakery at Reece Apple House offers apple cider doughnuts, homemade breads and more. Yet, their fried apple pies are the stars of the show. The farm also features 25 acres of vegetables, so pumpkins and other veggies can be found in the market.
Market: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Orchards: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. B.J. Reece Apple House, 9131 Highway 52 E., Ellijay. 706-276-3048, www.reeceorchards.com.
Hillcrest Orchards
This hot spot hosts its annual Apple Pickin’ Jubilee Saturdays and Sundays through October. Admission allows guests access to the pick-your-own-apple orchards. You might grab apple varieties including Golden Delicious, Mutsu, Granny Smith, Rome Beauty and Arkansas Black. Bags of you-pick apples run $7 and $11. At select times during the day kids can milk Buttercup, the resident Jersey milk cow. Guests cheer on the swine in the pig races. The staff says some guests come strictly for these races and pack the bleachers. The John Deere Derby allows kids to race pedal tractor trikes around a track. Children can brave massive slides, a jumping pillow and other attractions in the play areas. Choose from either mule- or tractor-pulled wagon rides through the orchard. The latter includes a visit to the Land of Oz, which stars characters from “The Wizard of Oz.” Get a dose of mountain history by stepping inside the Moonshine and Farmhouse Museums. Bluegrass and country bands, and cloggers perform. Other attractions require an additional fee. Cozy up to critters at the petting farm ($3). Hop atop a pony for a ride ($5 each), and catch air on the bungee jump ($7). If all the activity works up an appetite, food is aplenty. Some gobble up hamburgers, hot dogs, turkey legs and other fare for sale in the festival area. The resident bakery and ice cream parlor shills fried apple pies, apple fritters, homemade ice cream and more. If you can’t find certain apples in the orchard, more varieties are available for sale inside the market.
9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 28. $6. Hillcrest Orchards, 9696 Hwy. 52 E., Ellijay. 706-273-3838, www.hillcrestorchards.net.
Red Apple Barn at Little Bend Orchard
The folks at Little Bend Orchard say the you-pick apples are going fast. Guests are allowed to each pick one half of a peck of apples, approximately 10 to 12, for $6. You might come across Fuji, Jonagold, Rome Beauty, Golden Delicious and the farm’s own Pritchett Golden varieties. On Saturdays and Sundays visitors can hitch a ride on a tractor-pulled wagon for a 10-minute orchard and farm tour. Each rider gets a cup of cold cider, an apple cider doughnut and the opportunity to pick an apple. Apples aren’t the only things folks can pick at Little Bend. You-pick pumpkins ($5 to $10) are available through October. Customers can stock up on countrified goodies at the Red Apple Barn store. Apples, ciders, sorghum syrup, peanut brittle and oodles of options fill shelves.
You-pick apples: 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays; 1:30-4 p.m. Sundays through October or until all apples have been picked. Red Apple Barn: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; 12:30-5:30 p.m. Sundays. Red Apple Barn at Little Bend Orchard, 3379 Tailscreek Road, Ellijay. 706-635-5898, www.redapplebarn.com.
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