16th annual Homesteads Apple Festival

From 16th annual Homesteads Apple Festival Website:

It all began as a leap of faith by C.H.T.A. Board Members in 2004 to create a wholesome, family-oriented, old-fashioned, fun-filled, fund-raising event that would help pay the expenses of operating the Homesteads Tower Museum and the Homesteads House Museum. From the beginning, the board felt it was important to include the Homesteads Elementary School in the event because of the long-standing close relationship between the historic school and the Tower Museum. The idea to tie the event to apples was a natural choice because of the many orchards that the Original Homesteaders planted and tended to help feed their families in the early days of the Homesteads. The board members pitched in with lots of energy and with the additional help of their friends and neighbors made the 1st Homesteads Apple Festival a great success.

The festival also focuses on presenting quality music and crafts. Our entertainment has been one of the highlights of the festival from the very beginning. Many local talents have graced the Apple Festival stage for great, continuous music all day. But the stage has also seen some out-of-town guest performers that helped us bring in larger attendance and larger recognition as a premier event. On the stage of the 2nd Apple Festival, Grammy-winner, Amy Grant gave a concert that will always be remembered and appreciated. It was with her generous support of C.H.T.A. efforts that many doors began to open for the Homesteads Apple Festival. One of those doors was increased corporate sponsorship of the event. Our sponsor list continues to grow each year and their support has made it possible to continue adding new features to the event.

The Apple Festival Craft Show is also a reflection of the high skills of our regional artists and craftsmen. Each year the number of booths increase, but unlike so many festival craft shows, the quality of craftsmanship does not suffer with the growth of the show. While the show is not a juried show, it is well-managed with strict rules on what crafts are acceptable. This attention to the quality of crafts allowed is appreciated by the public and the craftsmen alike.

And then theres the food! Lots of fine folks pitch in to bake homemade goodies for our huge bake sale every year. Our fresh Fried Apple Pies are the festivals favorite food item. The high demand for fried pies keeps a host of volunteers busy all day hand-carrying the pies to our Apple Pie and Apple Cider booths as the pies arrive to the festival.