Beginning Friday and continuing through Labor Day, festivities include a street fair, live music, a parade, a kids’ carnival, pancake breakfasts, a recipe contest, apple taste testing, foot races, aircraft rides and a gem and mineral show.

“You can bring your children or your grandparents to the Apple Festival, and they’ll enjoy it,” said David Nicholson, executive director of the festival. “Once we get set up on Friday, I love to walk the streets and watch people of all ages having a good time.”

After missing last year due to the pandemic, festival organizers, farmers and attendees are excited for the return of this Hendersonville hallmark that honors the local apple crops. Henderson County leads the state in apple production and consistently ranks within the Top 20 counties nationwide. Many orchards have become destinations with a slew of agritourism offerings.

Fourteen local apple growers participate in the festival, selling fresh apples, as well as cider, slushies, doughnuts, fritters and other confections. In addition to fresh apples, the street fair showcases handmade arts and crafts. One-third of this year’s crafts vendors are new to the festival.