According to "Where & When," the Pennsylvania Travel Guide, the prevalence of apple trees in the state is due to Johnny Appleseed, who planted apple trees across the Northeast United States in the late 18th century. Apple festivals are scattered throughout the state at working apple orchards and towns near major apple producing areas. The festivals have activities for children, as well as pick-your-own days at the orchards.
This apple festival is usually held on the last weekend in September in the Linvilla Orchards Entertainment Garden. General admission is free, however certain attractions such as hay rides, pony rides and face painting may require the purchase of separate tickets. Kids of all ages can participate in apple related games, including bobbing for apples and an apple pie eating contest. In addition, the pick-your-own orchard is open.
Linvilla Orchards Apple Festival
137 West Knowlton Road
Media, PA 19063
610-876-7116
linvilla.com
The entire town of Franklin gets involved with the three-day Applefest in early October. The festival features an arts and crafts show with more than 300 vendors. There are also antique tours, Tiffany stained glass window tours, music festivals and a farmers' market. Special events included a Civil War encampment reenactment on the festival grounds in 2010, and the historical society holds a book fair during this time. For kids there are wagon rides, an apple press demonstration, a duck race and crafts activities.
Franklin Applefest
Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce
1259 Liberty St.
Franklin, PA 16323
814-432-5823
franklinapplefest.com
For more than 45 years, this festival has celebrated the apple harvest over the first two weekends in October. Located in Arendtsville, Pennsylvania, the festival takes over the fairgrounds and runs rain or shine. It has more than 300 arts and crafts vendors, an antique car show, children's petting zoo, hay and pony rides, puppet shows, square dancing and live music. Adults are charged for admission, however children under the age of 12 enter free. Admission prices include parking and a shuttle to the fairgrounds.
National Apple Harvest Festival
South Mountain Fairgrounds
Arendtsville, PA 17303
717-677-9413
appleharvest.com
