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Thousands attend 38th annual AppleFest in St. George

FeaturesThousands attend 38th annual AppleFest in St. George

Thousands of guests descended upon St. George for the 38th annual AppleFest on Saturday, September 17 and Sunday, September 18, 2022.

Thousands of guests lined Main Street in St. George during the 38th annual AppleFest on Saturday, September 17.

Visitors had a variety of activities to choose from, including musical acts, and over 100 vendors, offering a wide variety of products and merchandise.

“We had 134 vendors at this year’s event, which is on par with previous years,” said Jean Tucker, AppleFest Coordinator.

Members of Just Dance Line-dancing entertain guests during AppleFest on Saturday, September 17.
Laura Collins from Hunters Maple Bush speaks to a couple of visitors during the 38th annual AppleFest in St. George on Saturday, September 17.
Old Tyme Kettle Kitchen from St. Jacobs was one of 134 vendors at the 38th annual AppleFest in St. George on Saturday, September 17.

There was also plenty of fun things for kids, including a magic show, petting zoo, and kids’ play area.

A youngster gets his face painted during AppleFest on Saturday, September 17.
Magician Peter Mennie entertains kids and adults alike during the 38th annual AppleFest in St. George on Saturday, September 17.

In 2020, Tucker and the organizing committee held an online festival due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In 2021, we spun it a bit more and had what we call the apple fest adventure, and it was kind of like a bingo card style scavenger hunt,” Tucker said.

Expectations were high for this year’s event, the first in-person AppleFest since 2019.

“We were expecting between 35,000 and 40,000 guests over the two days and we were probably close to that but it was a slow start on Saturday morning and I think that was partially due to the overcast and the fog but it picked up in the afternoon,” said Tucker. “It has been amazing. People came back and they are enjoying the weather, the vendors, the food, and entertainment, so everybody’s having a great time.”

A youngster gets up close and personal with a sheep at the petting zoo that was a part of the 38th annual AppleFest on Saturday, September 17.
Emma Guitard, 6, pets a bunny rabbit at the petting zoo that was a part of the 38th annual AppleFest on Saturday, September 17.

Tucker, who has been coordinator of the festival for the last 11 years, said there were challenges in organizing the first live event in two years.

“If you’d asked me that in 2019, I would have said yes, (organizing the event) has gotten easier. However, after two years of not doing it, it’s almost like starting over again,” explained Tucker. “It was like we were out of sync, so you get out of your routine and your timing gets off. Some of the companies that you’re used to dealing with, either don’t exist or can’t can’t supply you anymore for various reasons so it was was almost like starting over.”

A couple of kids spend some quality time with a piggy during the 38th annual AppleFest in St. George on Saturday, September 17.
A young guest feeds a bunch of sheep during the 38th annual AppleFest in St. George on Saturday, September 17.

Regardless of the challenges in organizing this year’s AppleFest, Tucker was very pleased with the turnout for the 38th annual AppleFest.

“It was great to see people and families, two or three generations, enjoying all of the activities, entertainment and vendors,” she said. “It’s always fun to have AppleFest come to an end but then I can’t wait to start planning again for next year.”

A youngster shows off his archery skills during the 38th annual AppleFest in St. George on Saturday, September 17.
A young boy races down a bouncy slide during the 38th annual AppleFest in St. George on Saturday, September 17.
Guests and visitors line up for some “Dandy Cotton Candy” during the 38th annual AppleFest in St. George on Saturday, September 17.

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