Annual Applefest in Clarksville, Missouri

The apple holds an important place in myth and legend. Supposedly Eve tempted Adam with an apple, but we really have no way of knowing. For all we know it could have been a banana. The Isle of Apples was were King Authur was taken after he died. And if cut open an apple, you will see a heart at its core. Maybe that's why the apple has always been associated with the two strongest emotions we have: death and love.

Clarksville, Missouri is a quaint little river town on the Mississippi River just slightly north of St. Louis. It's the type of town that Mark Twain may have grown up in if he wasn't from Hannibal. A place that easily could have inspired the stories of Tom sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.

According to the city's website, Clarksville, Missouri is located on Missouri Highway 79 which is part of the Great River Road and is one of the most scenic highways along the Mississippi River. It overlooks U.S. Lock and Dam 24, providing a close vantage point to view all river boat and barge traffic. This City, located in Pike County, is also one of the largest winter migrating areas for the Bald Eagle. Clarksville is filled with artists, potters, glass blowers, jewelry designers, antique dealers, furniture makers, and specialty craftsmen.

Somehow when I envision the town, I see a little boy in a straw hat with a fishing pole and a blade of straw stuck between his teeth. It's also a great place for fall festivals, filled with artists who make crafts and rural art.

According to Sauce Magazine, it's also the home of the annual Applefest. Ripe juicy apples ready to be turned into some of the most delicious cider that you can imagine. Apple cider made the old fashioned way with an apple press. And maybe, just maybe, spiced up with a little of that legal moonshine.

The annual parade starts at 10 am and then you can stroll along the Mississippi River, sampling snacks from the Riverfront Food Court and browsing the many crafters and vendors from town. If you're feeling a bit competitive, you'll enter a favorite apple pie, cake, strudel, cobbler or other apple dish in the Applefest Bake Off Contest held Saturday afternoon.

If you like to make your own apple cider, then you can pick up a bushel of apples from one of the nearby apple orchards and make your own. The Applefest is one of the events that make you realize that autumn has arrived in Missouri. It's right up there with the frost on the pumpkin and the turning of the leaves.

Applefest Sat. and Sun., Oct. 10 and 11 - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Clarksville Price:

Info: 573.242.3838

Sources: http://www.clarksvillemo.us/
http://www.saucemagazine.com/daily.php