Reinette LeJeune
Last year Georgians were ecstatic with the return of the annual Georgia Apple Festival and this year will be no different! 2022 marks the 51st year of celebration for this festival, bringing together hundreds of vendors for crafts, arts, and most importantly (for me) food. The festival will also feature live music, parades, an antique car show, and all the apples you could ever want, need, or eat.
The Georgia Apple Festival takes place every year in October for two whole weekends. Over 300 vendors and exhibitions are set up to present new varieties of apples harvested from local orchards – R&A Orchards, Panorama Farm Market, Mercier Orchards, and Hillcrest Orchards, etc. – giving visitors the opportunity to experience the many different flavors, textures, and juices from the apples grown in the country. Some may find their preferences remaining the same, while others may find new favorites amongst the offerings. Regardless, it’s best to bring one’s appetite either way.
Local apple houses will be putting up stalls offering snacks and drinks featuring the red fruits – fried pies, fritters, ciders, etc. Other stalls will feature the works of craftsmen and artisans from across the southeastern United States, offering items like soaps, candles, homemade hats, woodwork, jewelry, pottery, baskets, toys, yard art, photography, and even glass blowing exhibits.
The Georgia Apple Festival concluded the weekend of the 8th and 9th, but will continue for the 15th and 16th at the Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds, located at 1729 South Main Street in Ellijay. Admission is $10 for adults and free for kids ages 12 and under, and hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. For a full list of events and more information, check out https://www.georgiaapplefestival.org/.
