Hendersonville Apple Festival 2024: A Comprehensive Guide

Experience the Hendersonville Apple Festival, North Carolina’s premier Labor Day celebration on August 30 to September 2. Savor crisp mountain apples, enjoy free family fun with parades and music, explore local crafts, and discover charming Hendersonville. Four days of autumn bliss in the Blue Ridge foothills await!

Introduction

The Hendersonville Apple Festival happens every Labor Day weekend in North Carolina. It’s a four-day event in downtown Hendersonville. The festival started in 1947 to celebrate the local apple industry. Henderson County is the “Apple Capital of North Carolina.” It grows many apple types. The festival shows off these apples and the farmers who grow them.

The festival brings in over 100,000 visitors each year. It boosts the local economy and supports apple growers. Visitors can also explore nearby orchards and Hendersonville attractions. This year’s festival features the theme “The Fruits of our Labor Day”, and highlights include an opening ceremony and various educational booths about apple growing and beekeeping.

Hendersonville Apple Festival History

The Hendersonville Apple Festival began in 1947. It started as a small event to support local apple growers. The first festival took place on Main Street in downtown Hendersonville. In the early years, the festival lasted only one day. It had a few apple stands and a small parade. Local farmers sold their apples and apple products. Over time, the festival grew bigger. More people came each year. The organizers added more days to the event. They also included new activities like music shows and craft sales. In 1988, the festival became a four-day event. It now happens every Labor Day weekend. This timing matches the apple harvest season in Henderson County.

Some important changes in the festival’s history:

1949: Added the apple pie contest
1947: Started the Apple Festival parade
1988: Expanded to include Main Street and surrounding areas
2000: Introduced the Apple Ambassador program

The festival has faced some challenges. In 2004, bad weather caused problems. The organizers learned to plan for rain and storms after that. Today, the Hendersonville Apple Festival is a big event. It brings in thousands of visitors. The festival helps keep apple farming important in the area. In recent years, the festival has introduced new attractions such as educational booths featuring local apple growers and beekeepers. The festival continues to honor Henderson County’s apple heritage. It shows how farming and community work together in North Carolina.

Hendersonville Apple Festival Essential Information

The 2024 Hendersonville Apple Festival runs from August 30 to September 2. It takes place on Main Street in downtown Hendersonville, North Carolina.

Dates

In 2024, The festival will held from August 30 to September 2.

Time

Friday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Monday: 10 a.m. to end of the parade

Venue

The festival covers eight blocks of Main Street. It starts at Allen Street and ends at Seventh Avenue. Food vendors are located on Main Street and surrounding areas.

Tickets

Entry to the Hendersonville Apple Festival is free. No tickets are needed to attend. Special Guidelines for 2024:

Parking

Visitors can park at various downtown lots. A free shuttle runs from local parking areas to the festival grounds.

No pets are allowed at the festival.
Outside food and beverages are prohibited.
For more information, visit official website or call 828-697-4557.

Hendersonville Apple Festival Main Events Schedule

Event	Date	Time
Opening Ceremony	Friday, August 30	2:15 p.m.
Apple Parade	Monday, September 2	2:30 p.m.
Apple Pie Eating Contest	Sunday, September 1	1:15 p.m.
Live Music Performances	August 30 – September 1	Various times throughout the day, extended hours until 10 p.m. on Friday and Sunday, and until 11 p.m. on Saturday
Craft Fair Opens	Friday, August 30	10:00 a.m.
Children’s Activities Begin	Friday, August 30	10:00 a.m.
Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast	Friday, August 30	7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Kiddie Carnival	August 30 – September 1	Noon – 8:00 p.m.
Gem & Mineral Spectacular	August 30 – September 1	10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Hendersonville Apple Festival Events

These events, along with the street fair and various educational booths, create a vibrant atmosphere celebrating the apple harvest and community spirit in Hendersonville.

Hendersonville Apple Festival

About Hendersonville, North Carolina

Hendersonville is a city in Henderson County, North Carolina. It sits in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The city has 14,000 people living there. People call Hendersonville the “City of Four Seasons.” It has nice weather all year. The city is 22 miles south of Asheville. Hendersonville is famous for its apples. People named it the “Apple Capital of North Carolina.” The area has many apple orchards. Farmers first planted apple trees here in the 1700s. The climate and soil are perfect for growing apples. Now, Henderson County grows the most apples in North Carolina. Main Street in Hendersonville is special. It has old buildings and nice shops. People like to walk around and visit the stores.

Hendersonville hosts many events. The Apple Festival is the biggest one. Other events include the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast and the Gem & Mineral Spectacular. The apple industry is important to Hendersonville. It brings in money and jobs. Many people visit to see the apple orchards. Hendersonville is a good place for outdoor activities. People can hike, bike, and fish here. The mountains make pretty views. Visitors can reach Hendersonville easily. It’s close to Asheville Regional Airport. The drive from Asheville takes about 30 minutes.

Hendersonville Apple Festival Social Media Sites

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Hendersonville Apple Festival Social Media Sites

Planning a fall festival tour? After apples in Hendersonville, check out the Shaker Woods Festival. It’s another fun event with crafts and history.

Tips for Attendees

Best Times to Visit: Mornings have fewer crowds. Weekdays are less busy than weekends. The parade day is crowded but exciting.
Parking and Transportation: Free parking is at various downtown lots and churches. A shuttle runs from the parking areas to the festival. Shuttle hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
What to Bring: Wear comfortable shoes for walking. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a water bottle. Carry cash, as some vendors don’t take cards.
Food and Family Fun: Try local apple dishes at food stands. Kid-friendly activities are near the Wells Fargo Kiddie Carnival. The Lost Child station is at the Historic Courthouse.
Weather and Accessibility: The festival happens rain or shine. Bring an umbrella just in case. Wheelchair ramps are at various locations along Main Street. Service animals are welcome.

Surrounding Attractions

Sky Top Orchard – 1193 Pinnacle Mountain Rd, Flat Rock, NC 28731. It has apple picking and a farm store. Visitors can enjoy hayrides and fresh cider.
Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard – 2000 Stepp Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792. People can pick their own apples here. The orchard has a corn maze in the fall.
Bold Rock Hard Cider – 72 School House Rd, Mills River, NC 28759. They make cider from local apples. Visitors can tour the cider-making facility.
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards – 588 Chestnut Gap Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28739. It offers wine tastings and beautiful views. The vineyard grows French and German grape varieties.
Mineral and Lapidary Museum – 400 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
It shows rocks, gems, and minerals.
Admission is free.
Children’s Museum – 318 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Kids can play and learn here. It has many interactive exhibits.
Team ECCO Ocean Center and Aquarium – 511 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792 It’s Western North Carolina’s only public aquarium. Visitors can see fish and touch sea creatures.
DuPont State Recreational Forest – 89 Buck Forest Rd, Cedar Mountain, NC 28718. It has hiking trails and waterfalls. Mountain biking is popular here.
Jump Off Rock – 1000 Jump Off Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28739. It offers great views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The spot is good for watching sunsets.

Conclusion

The Hendersonville Apple Festival is a fun event for everyone. It shows why Hendersonville is famous for apples. The festival brings people together to enjoy good food and music. Visitors can try many kinds of apples at the festival. They can also buy crafts and see local art. The parade and street fair are big hits every year. The festival helps local farmers and businesses. It brings money to Hendersonville and Henderson County. Many people come back year after year.

North Carolina apples are special because of the mountain climate. The cool nights and warm days make the apples taste great. People can learn about apple growing at the festival. The Apple Festival is more than just apples. It’s about community and tradition. It shows the best of Western North Carolina culture. Visitors should plan their trip to enjoy everything. There’s a lot to see in Hendersonville besides the festival. The mountains and orchards are beautiful in the fall. The next Hendersonville Apple Festival is on August 30 to September 2, 2024. People can find more information at www.ncapplefestival.org. Come taste the apples and join the fun!