Kevin Starr
County Extension Director
N.C. Cooperative Extension Service

June 20, 2008

APPLE FESTIVAL UPDATE


It may seem too early to be talking about the Lincoln County Apple Festival, but there’s plenty of activity taking place.

We want to get the word out that all booths for this year’s festival are full. This includes the food, craft, and street (miscellaneous) booths. The festival is still looking for participants in the Kid’s Apple Orchard. This children’s area is immediately adjacent to the James W. Warren Citizens Center. This area is typically occupied by groups who provide games and other activities to children at a very modest cost. It is not open to other types of booths.

There are still openings for entertainers. Entertainers are volunteers who really help maintain the local flavor of the festival. If you’re interested in participating, contact Joyce Dorsey in our office for an application. Her number is 704-736-8452. You can also find a link to this application at www.lincolncountyapplefestival.com.

The other big news about the festival is that no animals will be allowed at this year’s event. The City of Lincolnton now has an ordinance which prohibits pets at special events like the festival. The exceptions are guide (or seeing-eye) dogs, law enforcement animals, and animals which are an approved part of the festival itself. The festival organizers thank Lincolnton’s elected officials for taking this step to help insure a safe event.

Some of the best news about this year’s festival is that it looks like there will be a good crop of local apples for sale. A couple of locations did experience severe hail damage earlier in the season. But from the consumer’s point of view, it looks like plenty of quality apples will be available.

This year’s festival will be held on Saturday, September 20. It’s always held on the third Saturday in September. If you have questions not covered in this column, please call Joyce Dorsey at 704-736-8452.