Apple Festival returns for 42nd year
NORTH WILKESBORO-A lot can happen in 42 years. When the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival got started, it was a simple fundraiser, set up outside of a grocery store on Hwy 421. But over time, the event outgrew that space, moving to downtown North Wilkesboro while adding hundreds of craftsmen, apple growers and musicians. It’s turned into a celebration the Southeastern Tourism Society routinely calls one of the Top 20 events in October. Now everyone will have a chance to experience the latest version of the festival this Saturday, as downtown North Wilkesboro will be filled with people from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“I love the food, I love the homemade ice cream, the apple pastries and just the whole atmosphere,” said Brushy Mountain Ruritans member Ann Garwood. “It’s also just like a reunion. I see people here that I don’t see but once a year.”
When it started in 1978, the idea was to create a way to celebrate the apple industry and help people in Wilkes. The Ruritans, who launched and still manage the festival, use signup fees from the different vendors to provide scholarships for high school seniors and fund community projects.
“The founders wanted to help people out,” Garwood said. “That’s one of the best things about the festival. Money collected here goes right back into the community.”
That doesn’t just include the vendor fees. More than 100 churches, civic and nonprofit groups sell food and other items at the festival, so when you buy anything on Saturday, there’s a good chance your money will go to help a local group. There will be plenty of groups to choose from, as this will be one of the largest editions of the festival in history. That includes more than 400 craftsmen; 100 different food vendors; bluegrass, country, gospel and folk musicians performing throughout the day on four stages and 75 apple growers selling their products, as well as answering any questions you might have.
If you don’t want to wait until Saturday, the celebration gets started a bit early on Friday, with the Apple Jam. Running from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., a number of country, folk, gospel and bluegrass musicians will perform at the Brushy Mountain Ruritan Club’s Apple Festival Park. That’s at the corner of 10th and Main streets in North Wilkesboro. You can just bring a lawn chair, sit out and listen to the music. And if you get hungry, local restaurants will be open and there will be a few food vendors set up at Apple Festival Park.
An apple a day
Overall, apples are a big part of Wilkes County’s farming culture. In fact, Wilkes is second in the state with 207 acres used for growing apples. Another part of Northwest North Carolina, Alexander County, is right behind Wilkes in third, with 148 acres used. Both of them still have a ways to go before claiming first place, however, as Henderson County currently has 3,559 acres used to grow apples.
Early settlers tried to grow apples throughout North Carolina, but it didn’t work great in most places. They found Western NC was the best option, for several reasons.
“Apples need a number of cold temperature hours to set bloom in the winter and cooler temperatures in the summer to provide the good climate for commercial growers,” said the North Carolina Department of Agriculture in a statement.
Eventually, the settlers focused on four main varieties of apples. Western North Carolina produces a large amount of Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty and Stayman apples, with 40 other varieties grown on a limited basis.
Apples aren’t just tasty, they’re extremely rich in antioxidants, flavanoids and dietary fiber. In fact, the antioxidants in apples can help reduce the risk of developing cancer, hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. That’s why we still hear the age-old saying of “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
Rules to follow
Now if you’re planning to attend the festival, there are a few things to know.
Transport
With more than 10,000 people expected, it could be challenging to find a parking spot near the festival. Shuttles will run at West Park Plaza, 1922 West Park Dr., to and from the event from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Information
It always helps to have someone who can point you in the right direction. The Ruritan Club will have an information booth set up at the intersection of Main and Ninth streets in North Wilkesboro, running from 6 a.m. to the end of the festival. If you have a question about where to go or what time an event is happening, this is the place to go.
Pets
Dogs are welcome at the festival, but all furry friends must have a collar and be on a leash at all times.
Who’s Playing When?
There will be dancing, singing and musical performances throughout the day on Saturday. Here’s a look at the different stages and the day’s schedule.
“GOSPEL” Stage located at the Journal-Patriot Loading Dock
10:00 New Salem
10:40 Redeemed Trio
11:20 The Spencers
12:00 The Bledsoes
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12:40 New Salem
1:20 Redeemed Trio
2:00 The Spencers
2:40 The Bledsoes
“BLUE GRASS in the PARK” Stage at the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival Park
10:00 Sugar Loaf Ramblers
11:00 Wood Family Tradition
12:00 Caldwell Line
1:00 Sugar Loaf Ramblers
2:00 Wood Family Tradition
3:00 Caldwell Line
“DANCING AND CLOGGING” Stage at the Yadkin Valley Marketplace
9:00 Steppin’ Out Studio
9:30 Tanya’s Academy of Dance
10:00 Wilkes County Line Dancers
10:30 The Foothill Cloggers
11:00 Studio 68
11:30 Yadkin Valley Dancers
12:00 The Foothill Cloggers
12:30 Carolina Clogging Connection
1:00 Appalachian Rhythm
1:30 Carolina Clogging Connection
2:00 The Footloose Express
“AMERICANA” Stage at the Wells Fargo Parking Lot
10:00–10:45 Brian Burchfield
11:00–11:45 Bobby Billings
12:00–12:45 Wyld Fern
1:00–1:45 Alex Key & the Locksmiths
2:00–2:45 Paul Helou
3:00–3:45 Brian Burchfield
