The Unicoi County Apple Festival is one of the best fall festivals in the Blue Ridge Region. Let’s check out to see what’s interesting about this event!
The coming of the fall season means that the US is busiest with its fall festivals. Take a brief look around and you will see there are plenty of amazing destinations that you could spend your time with your friends and family. One of those is the Unicoi County Apple Festival.
1. When Does The Unicoi Apple Festival Take Place?
The Unicoi County Apple Festival is synonymous with the harvest season in the US, which is usually celebrated on the first weekend of October. This year, the fest will occur on October 2-3, from 8 Am to 8 Pm each day.
2. Where Is The Unicoi County Apple Festival Located?
The festival is held across a 5 block section of Downtown Erwin, Tennessee, including side streets. From Interstate 26, take Exit 37 and you will be into downtown Erwin. Around Exit 37, several parking areas have been secured for festival attendees.
3. The History Of The Unicoi County Apple Festival
The Unicoi Apple Festival celebrates the heritage and culture of the southern Appalachian region. The first festival started as a promotion of the Unicoi Chamber of Commerce by the Retail Merchants Division in 1978.
At the time, local apple growers bring their crops to sell to visitors who come to the fest. It also features performances of Old Joe Clark, a Unicoi County native and performer on the Renfro Valley Barn Dance.
In 1979, the organizers of the festival added an Apple Country Tours and Apple Cooking Contest to the festivities. In the following year, Blue Ridge Pottery Show, cider making, apple butter and gospel concert also became a part of the fest.
Today, the fest is honored to be named one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 events in the southeast and win the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association’s Pinnacle Award for three years. With all the amazing festivities, the Unicoi County Apple Festival attracts more than 100,000 attendees each year.
4. What To Do At The Unicoi County Apple Festival?
The Unicoi Apple Festival will celebrate its 42nd anniversary this year, featuring over 350 arts and crafts vendors from all over the nation like photography, painting, metal crafts, jewelry, sculpture, wood-turning, blown glass and so much more.
Moreover, the three food courts will separate around the festival grounds, allowing attendees to enjoy beverages and try different specialty cuisine, from Chinese to Greek foods, traditional foods such as hamburgers and barbecue to apple fritters and apple pies.
There are also three entertainment stages that offer live music to cheer up the arts and crafts atmosphere. Besides, a myriad of tournaments like the NFS 4-Mile Race, Apple Dumpling Contest and Miss Apple Festival Pageant will be included in this year’s schedule.
If you bring your kids to the fest, don’t worry because the Unicoi County Apple Festival will provide some fun activities and rides for them in a large children’s area.
5. Other Interesting Things To Do Around The Fest
The city of Erwin is arguably a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. When you come to the town, you’ll have plenty of things to do and it will keep you busy all day long.
Enjoy Erwin Kiwanis Park
Erwin Kiwanis Park is a lovely area for families and also the most beautiful place to enjoy the sunshine in Erwin. It is located near the popular Erwin Linear Trail, featuring a lot of nice benches and gardens and a gazebo.
Walk Along Erwin Linear Trail
Another beloved outdoor destination in the town is Erwin Linear Trail. The trail is just 4 miles in length, so it’s perfect for a nice walk in a couple of hours or a challenging run. The trail is completely covered in asphalt.
The most special thing about it is that it winds through some of the most beautiful parts of Erwin like picturesque rivers and lush forests.
Learn About Local History At Unicoi County Heritage Museum
If you wonder about the history of the local area, you can find all the information at the Unicoi County Heritage Museum. The museum is located in a hundred-year-old authentic frame house in the town, which used to be the finest home in the area.
The exhibits in the Unicoi County Heritage Museum are spread out over 10 rooms, including artifacts like Cash pottery and Blue Ridge, the mini display of an old-fashioned main street with a post office, apothecary, bank, and more.
6. Best Simple And Stylish Outfit To Wear At The Unicoi County Apple Festival
Fall is considered the nicest season of the year. And by that, you will have plenty of choices when it comes to festival outfits. Be sure to prioritize comfort and convenience, especially when you may have to walk or stand the whole day.
Our recommendation is to pair a light T-shirt with denim shorts or a mini skirt. This ensemble is completely comfy and never old-fashioned, and it looks good at the same time. If the weather is a little bit cooler, you can cover it with a leather jacket or a chunky cardigan.
For accessories, just keep it as simple as possible. Add several round earrings, a silver necklace or a bracelet and you’ll be ready to go.
Fall season is coming along with plenty of fun things to do. So don’t miss out on all the amazing festivities and good fall vibe of the Unicoi County Apple Festival.
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