In Charlevoix a weekend of apples

In Charlevoix
A Weekend‘s Worth of Apples

By Kristi Kates 10/5/09

Traverse City has Cherry Festival, Petoskey has the Festival by the Bay, and Mackinac Island has Lilac Festival - but there’s yet another themed fest in Northern Michigan and it welcomes fall with plenty of homegrown fun.
It’s Charlevoix’s Apple Fest, and its first distinction is perhaps the fact that it occurs as summer is waning away - great news for those who want the season’s festivities to last just a little longer.
Local legend has it that the Charlevoix Apple Fest began in 1979 as one booth in Charlevoix’s lakefront park selling homemade apple pies in the rain. This fest - of which the intention has always been to honor local apple orchards and apple growers - has moved forward greatly since those humble beginnings, and this year is embarking on its 31st event.
“Apple Fest has grown since 1979 to include more than 15 orchards and growers, a 125-booth craft show, and live entertainment,” Shelly Ferguson of the Charlevoix Chamber of Commerce says, pointing out that both locals and fall color tour visitors attend the event. “an estimated 30,000 individuals attend the festival each year, and there is no admission fee to join in the fun.”

SECOND WEEKEND
Charlevoix Apple Fest is always held the second weekend of October, during the peak of fall color season, specific dates this year being October 9-11.
“The trees around the harbor and Lake Charlevoix are in full fall display, adding to the ambiance and beauty of the event,” Ferguson says. “The air is fresh and crisp and filled with the smell of autumn... and apples!”
Apples, of course, are the festival’s focal point. Said to be the most popular fruit in North America, Northern Michigan’s cool temperatures are also rumored to produce more colorful and flavorful apples than those grown in warmer climates.
More than 30 types of apples, including the hard-to-find antique varieties, will be on hand at Apple Fest. Visitors will likely recognize such apple varieties as the crunchy Jonamac and Jonagold; the traditional Midwestern favorite McIntosh; Cortland, Empire, Red and the sweeter Golden Delicious; Ida Red, Red Wealthy, and the tart Mutzu; and the appropriately-named Northern Spy, of which the tagline is often “Spys for pies!” indicating that the Northern Spy is the best Northern Michigan apple for baking.
Other fall harvest items such as pumpkins, squash, jam, honey, maple syrup, and cider, plus traditional festival foods such as chili, kielbasa with sauerkraut, and french fries will also be available at the festival’s food booths.

EAST PARK FUN
Most festival events and food booths take place in the recently redesigned East Park, which is located in the heart of Charlevoix’s downtown area, overlooking Round Lake Harbor.
“The park features a state-of-the-art performance pavilion, Harbor Master facility, a trout stream, and an interactive water fountain,” Ferguson says. “Even in October, you will find boats of all sizes lazily docked in the harbor.”
October in Northern Michigan, of course, could mean anything from 70 degrees and sunny to 45 degrees and cold rain; but Ferguson says that “there’s just something about Apple Festival that keeps people returning.”
“Festival goers simply don the appropriate attire each year,” she chuckles, “whether it’s a snowsuit, rain jacket, wind parka or - in the case of an Indian summer - shorts. Regardless of the weather, people just have to come downtown for the craft show, a caramel apple, apple cake and chili, a kielbasa or even a carriage ride; it’s all just part of the Apple Fest experience.”


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