Apples bring autumn excitement
Nothing brings out the excitement of apple harvest like thousands of people celebrating together.
At this year’s Georgia Apple Festival, 30,000 people attended in the first weekend alone, Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce President Kyle Ray said.
Some came from as far away as Cashtown, to visit the fairgrounds on South Main Street, Saturday, Oct. 11.
“I like all the homemade stuff, like this blacksmith, and the bows, and stuff like that,” said festival attendee James Hunter.
Along with his wife and son, he agreed the festival was worth the hour and a half of driving it took to get there.
The event costs $10 at the gate for adults, plus processing fees. For children under 12 years old, it’s free.
The Georgia Apple Festival also took place Sunday, Oct. 12, and will repeat next weekend in the same location Oct. 18 and 19.
“This is our first year,” Chattanooga resident Maggie Brewster said.
She was attending the festival with her husband Daniel Brewster as well as her sons.
She could say why her family came in two words: “Fried pies.”
“It’s been fun,” she said.
Others have been going to the festival for years.
Amory White and her grandfather Brian Murphy are Gilmer locals who have always enjoyed attending together.
Murphy’s favorite apple is the Washington, and White likes “candy apples, sometimes.”
“It’s just not real sour,” he said. “I like kind of a sweet taste.”
The teeming crowds mean good money for Gilmer County’s economy, Murphy said. Everyone attending the festival from outside the county brings in money, tourism and other benefits.
“We’ve seen every year, a few more booths and a few more people,” he said.
From a brief walk around the festival, it’s clear why people are so enthusiastic.
Hot sauce, jewelry, honey, chessboards, pottery, knives, bows, leatherwork, herbs, photography, woodcarving, baskets, food, metal working and more were all on display.
Over the course of both its weekends, the festival booked 307 booths to provide entertainment.
The festival also offered many activities ranging from hammer throwing, rock climbing, face painting, chainsaw carving, pony rides and more.
“This year’s Georgia Apple Festival was a great success, once again showcasing the beauty of our community and bringing a strong economic boost to our area,” Ray said.