The Annual North Carolina Apple Festival

As the leading apple growing county in North Carolina, Henderson County is home to the annual North Carolina Apple Festival which takes place every year during Labor Day weekend. Complete with live music, entertainment, great food, arts and crafts vendors, historic shops, games, and parades, the three day festival brings in thousands of tourists from all over the country each year.

Hendersonville's Historic Main Street is home to the Apple Festival, adding great flavor to the festival's activities. Among the festival, are Henderson County's many historic shops, frequently offering contests, sales, prizes, and friendly conversations of past festivals and town history during the three day event. Recently converted to the town museum, the Historic Henderson County Courthouse is the center stage to the festival, offering live music and entertainment amidst over 150 vendors lining 8 blocks.

Providing entertainment to children of all ages, the annual Kiddie Carnival offers a wide variety of fun and games, such as an obstacle course, dual side inflatable slide, princess palace, 3-in-1 sports bounce, and train rides which are certain to keep the kids smiling among all of the excitement. Many of the street vendors as well offer kid-friendly activities such as airbrushed tattoos and face painting, balloons, and more varieties of funnel cake than anyone could try in one day.

Among the many vendors, you'll find a variety of arts and crafts, contest drawings, clothing, apple cider, caramel apples, charity and information booths, and many more. You'll also find many food vendors, offering everything from Greek, Italian, Chinese, Ice Cream, Burgers, Hot Dogs, Snow Cones, Subs, funnel cake, and many, many apple recipes.

Each year on Labor Day, the Apple Festival wraps up with a parade of favorite characters, high school sports teams and orchestra's, dancing, music, and last chances at experiencing the years offerings of gifts, food, and fun. The parade typically draws in thousands of celebrators, and is sure to provide fun for the whole family.

Nearing it's 63rd year of celebrations, the North Carolina Apple Festival has provided many years of family fun, education in history, and memorable experiences that people of all ages cherish, and will continue to do so for many more years. If in search of family activities for Labor Day weekend, or maybe just a weekend away from the everyday stress of life, the NC Apple Festival is highly recommended, as you are sure to become one of the thousands who look forward to the annual festivities for years to come.