40th Annual Unicoi County Apple Festival

Friday & Saturday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
The Unicoi County Apple Festival, drawing more than 110,000 annual attendees, has been consistently named one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 events in the southeast and is a three-year winner of the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association’s Pinnacle Award. The 4oth annual festival will include over 350 arts and crafts vendors from around the country featuring painting, photography, wood-turning, sculpture, metal crafts, jewelry, blown glass and much more.  In addition, three food courts will be located throughout the festival grounds so attendees may enjoy festival foods, beverages and specialty cuisine.
Three entertainment stages featuring live music will perfectly complement the arts and crafts atmosphere.  A large children’s area complete with rides and activities will be included in the festival for both the young and young-at heart.  A wide array of tournaments will be featured including the NFS 4-Mile Race, Miss Apple Festival Pageant and Apple Dumpling Contest.
 

Festival Activities Include:

• Arts & Crafts

  It’s a shoppers delight! More than 350 vendors from around the country will line downtown Erwin in “American Craft Country”. With everything from handmade jewelry and woodturning to paintings and pottery, the arts and crafts at the Unicoi County Apple Festival are a must see!

• Entertainment

  Three stages consisting of entertainment will be included in this year’s festival line up. Both Friday and Saturday, top Southern Gospel groups will take center stage on the Love Street Stage. The Gay Street Stage will feature a variety of up and coming touring artists from across the country. The Gathering Place Park Stage will include presentations and demonstrations from local and regional attractions and venues, as well as festival announcements, contest winners and dance.  The complete stage lineups are below.

• Food, Food, Food

  No need to pack your lunch! Everything from traditional, Chinese, Greek, Stir-Fry to specialty items such as apple butter, fried pies, jams, jellies and other apple treats are available. Bring your appetite and let it have a festival!

• Children’s Area

  The large children’s area is a festival within a festival, uniquely designed for the young festival goers, complete with rides, games, concessions and much more. Sponsored by the Unicoi County Family YMCA, the festival children’s area will feature exciting attractions including The Fun Factory, Adrenalin Rush, Laser Tag, Bungee Run, Joust, Saber-Tooth Tiger Slide, Bungee Trampoline and Madagascar. Children and adults of all ages are invited to participate. The train ride, a children’s favorite from years past, will also be part of this year’s events.

• Apple Festival 4-Mile Roadrace and 3K Race Walk

  It’s a race to the finish line….Runners from across the region will converge on the streets of Erwin on Saturday, Oct. 7 for the running of the Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. and YMCA Apple Festival 4-Mile Footrace and 3k Race Walk. Again this year, $500 will be awarded to the male or female participant who breaks the current Tennessee State 4-mile record. To be eligible for this prize, runners must be a U.S. citizen and a Tennessee state resident. Pre-registration for the running event is $20 and $15 for the 3K walk. Pre-registration must be received by Saturday, September 30. Race day registration is $20 for the walk and $25 for the run. Registration closes at 7:30 a.m. the day of the event. All participants receive a souvenir T-shirt. Click here for online registration. 

• Miss Apple Festival Pageant

  The Miss Apple Festival Pageant will be held on Saturday, September 30. Nine divisions will be included in the event, including Baby Miss (0-12 months), Wee Miss (13 – 24 months), Toddler Miss (2-3), Jr. Princess (4-6), Princess (7-9), Preteen (10-12), Teen (13-16), Miss (17-24) and Senior Ms. (50+).  A Queen and 2 runner-ups will be crowned in all age divisions. Queen receives crown, sash, & trophy. Runner ups receive trophy or crown. Non-finalists receive trophy or crown. 2 High Point Queens will be crowned in age divisions 0 – 6 and 7 & up. High Point Queens receive large crown, sash, large trophy and gift. Click HERE for a Miss Apple Festival Pageant Application. 

• Apple Dumpling Contest

  The Apple Dumpling Contest is a fundraising event in which children ages five years old and under vie for the title of Apple Dumpling of the Year. Click HERE for an Apple Dumpling Contest Application Packet.

Love Street Stage

Both Friday and Saturday, on the Love Street Stage top Southern Gospel artist will take the stage to praise the Lord in song. The stage, located in front of First Baptist Church, will be located on the corner of Love and Church Streets. The stage is adjacent to one of the festival food courts and contains covered seating.

Gay Street Stage

Gathering Place Park Stage

The Gathering Place Park Stage will showcase local and regional attractions and venues within Northeast Tennessee with various demonstrations and presentations, as well as festival announcements, contest winners, and dancing.  This stage will be located in the Gathering Place Park on Main Avenue, between Keesecker’s and Plant Palace Florist.

Festival Sponsors: