For those looking to enjoy some time in The Friendly Village, the annual St. George Apple Fest will again be held in the County of Brant on Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22, 2024.
The festival, first held in 1984, was originally organized as a half-day event to celebrate the beginning of harvest season and to promote the local businesses and farms in the area.
As the years went on, the event eventually blossomed into a two-day regional attraction, bringing in over 20,000 visitors during the weekend, and this month organizers will be celebrating 40 years of staying true to the festival’s roots.
Featured on Ontario’s Top 100 Festivals list since 2015, the event is once again offering up a host of activities suitable for visitors of all ages.
“We’re all ready to go,” said Jean Tucker, organizer for the festival. “Our vendors and our entertainment are all on track and we’re ready to present another great festival.”
As always, local farmers, Brantwood Farms and Brantview Apples and Cider, will be on hand with an array of apple varieties, fresh from the orchard, as well as apple-based products like cider, donuts, barbecue sauce, jams, and chutneys.
With approximately 150 vendors set up throughout downtown St. George, visitors will have a chance to shop and support the local artisans, or even visit the beer garden for a taste of local cider and assorted refreshments.
Throughout the weekend, youngsters in attendance will have the opportunity for free meet and greets with Disney princesses, Batman, Spiderman, Darth Vader and his Stormtrooper; as well as the children’s entertainment stage, inflatable attractions, and a Foam Party in the Kids Zone to keep the children visiting Apple Fest active and entertained.
“We have a whole area dedicated to children’s activities,” said Tucker. “There’s inflatables there and a petting zoo, as well as a stage with ongoing entertainment, as well street performers like Doug “the Great” Hunt and Free Flow Visual Artistry.”
While there will be live music throughout Saturday afternoon including local band Frisky Business, guests are also encouraged to attend the evening street party from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.. Please plan to enjoy the headliner Trucker Mouth and the Voodoo Curse. On Sunday, the crowd favourite Paris Port Dover Pipers will once again make their return to the festival in the afternoon.
Tucker also noted that all the local stores will still be open for residents and visitors to enjoy throughout the two-day event, and she encouraged visitors to stop in and support them as well.
While parking in town can sometimes be a challenge due to limited space, Tucker said not to worry, as they’ve organized several options to accommodate their visitors.
“If you’re coming in from Brantford (from Hwy 24 to Hwy 5), you can park at Elliott Soccer Field and then take the shuttle right into downtown and it will drop you off in the heart of the festival,” she said. “If you’re coming in from the east on Highway 5, there is parking at Canada Wide Sports. If you’re coming in from the south, there is a small parking lot on the corner of Victor Boulevard and St George Road. Now, there is also some limited parking in the municipal parking lot at the corner of St. George Road north and Church Street, right across from the Legion as well. Of course, if you’re able and don’t mind walking, there’s always parking at the St. George Arena, but if you do need “accessible” parking, you can park at the Bank of Montreal.”
