Nappanee Apple Festival Starts Thursday
The 38th annual Nappanee Apple Festival will be Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 19-22.
This bustling community kicks off Thursday with craft, commercial and food booths, two stages of entertainment with Blue River Jazz and the Miss Apple Blossom Pageant, plus the ever-popular kid’s puppet show with Grandpa Cratchet and carnival rides.
Friday’s events continue with the opening of the Napple store offering visitors an ample amount of information, shopping options, a festival feast and great souvenirs until Sunday evening.
Headlining this year’s entertainment is Josh Horton, a world-class juggler. As a nine-time gold medalist in the world championships of juggling, Horton combines his world-class talent with hilarious comedy and audience participation, creating an exciting show that is fun and appropriate for all ages.
Friday also debuts Indiana’s largest 7-foot baked apple pie, a traditional 600-pound pastry that tempts even the most discriminating palate. Additionally, a quilt exhibit, senior bingo, live animal show and a variety of singing and dancing are part of the entertainment venue.
An antique tractor and engine show with sawmill demonstrations, corn husking, hand baling, steam engines, sorghum press and farm equipment parade is an all-day event both Friday and Saturday.
Saturday opens with a pancake and sausage breakfast, road runs, garden tractor pull, child ID, vintage baseball game, helicopter rides, and a three-on-three basketball tournament.
There will apple baking, apple peeling, pie eating, goldfish races, adult and kids pedal pull and water ball contests, plus apple butter demonstration, apple cider cup challenge, and a corn hole tournament.
An airplane fly-over with the Flying Hooligans will precede the one-hour parade, which begins at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.
The planes can then be viewed at the afternoon Wings and Wheels event at the Nappanee Municipal Airport, along with a car, truck and motorcycle show. Youth ages 8-18 can earn a Young Eagle certificate in a free, first time small airplane ride. More activities include a skydiving demonstration and display of various air crafts.
Sunday’s events begin with a community church service at Depot Plaza activity tent, followed by more music and entertainment throughout the afternoon at the two main stages. An antique tractor pull takes place at the Callander Sportsplex. The ever-popular talent contest, raffle drawing and awards, plus announcement of apple dumpling winners winds down the last day of the festival that concludes at Depot Plaza.
Last year’s festival brought over 85,000 people to the Nappanee community. One of many unique stops along the Elkhart County Heritage Trail, the apple festival is recognized by the editors of LIFE as one of the “Top 100 Places to See in Your Lifetime.”
For more information, visit www.nappaneeapplefestival.org or call the Nappanee Chamber of Commerce, 574-773-7812. A complete list of entertainment and events can be obtained on its website or Facebook page.
The festival is made possible through the financial support of local retail patrons, city of Nappanee employees, Nappanee Area Chamber of Commerce and a dedicated group of volunteers. The Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Martin’s Supermarket and WSBT-TV are the principal sponsors.