Georgia APPLE FESTIVAL
What’s so wonderful about the Apple Festival?
One Word: Everything! The Georgia APPLE FESTIVAL is a marvelous event!
Have you ever wondered, like me, how apples began growing in north Georgia? It’s history is interesting and the Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay is the center of today’s celebration.
Back in the early 1900s, many farmers began reducing their dependence on cotton. Some farmers replaced cotton with apples. In the 1920s drought and cotton boll weevil left the apple farmers unaffected and the rest is history.
The Georgia Apple Festival is big; everything apple and more. I really enjoy trying all of the apple foods such as apple pies, apple dumplings, and candied apples. But there is plenty more food!
The arts and crafts encompass everything I could ever think of and anything you may need. Such as goat milk soaps, glass blowing, live beehives, shaker brooms, marble trains, and one of my favorites dessert candles.
Besides food, arts and crafts, there are demonstrations, music, children’s area, and organizations informing us of their community service. A total of 249 vendors were registered last year.
I enjoy exploring the educational exhibits and demonstrations. (And the food.) Watching the people as they enjoy themselves is contagious.
The children had plenty of things to do including balloons, face painting, golf, train rides, pony rides, wall climbing and much more.
There is a small adult cover charge of $5 (children under 10 free). The festival is held in the Ellijay Lions Club Fairground and is open between 9-6 Saturdays and 9-5 Sundays on the 2nd and 3rd weekends in October. Last years attendance was approximately 50,000.
The antique car show is on the 2nd Saturday only at the Civic Center and the parade is on the 3rd Saturday only.
Note that parking is limited so you may want to find their shuttle location. For more information call 706-635-7400 or click here to go to the official APPLE FESTIVAL website