Reid’s Orchard will be celebrating it’s 34th Apple Festival Saturday and Sunday.
Owner Kathy Reid said that the idea for the festival actually came from friends who had visited other cities hosting various festivals, encouraging the Reids to check them out.
After visiting a few, Reid said they decided to host one at the orchard.
The first Apple Festival at Reid’s had about 20 craft booths and a handful of food booths, but over 3,000 people came to the farm, something that Reid said meant they were on to something.
With over 25,000 people coming out annually for the festival, which has been named as one of the Top 10 festivals in Kentucky and one of the Top 20 festivals in the southwestern states in the month of October, according to the orchard website, the festival continues in the same family-tradition gathering.
Many locals plan their weekend around attending the Apple Festival, Reid said, especially since the temperatures are usually cooler and the leaves are beginning to change. The idea of a caramel apple sundae or an apple slushie conjures ideas of fall festival food.
Reid said that there are people who contact the orchard to find out when the festival is being held and they plan their trip to Owensboro during that time so they can attend the Apple Festival.
One hundred craft vendors will be at this year’s festival offering different items.
There are over 20 food vendors scheduled, and many of those vendors donate their proceeds back to the community either directly or through church and school or mission trips, something that Reid said she likes to hear.
Funnel cakes, kettle corn, German roasted nuts, pork burgers and burgoo are just a few of the offerings over the weekend.
New to the informational booth area is Aetna, a healthcare company, that will be on site to help people with insurance enrollment.
Nurture to Nature Wildlife Rehabilitation will also have a booth with animals for people to learn about their mission of returning animals to the wild.
Reidland play area will be open, which includes a corn maze, apple barrel slides, a corn crib and bounce pad. The petting zoo and horse and pony rides will be open during the festival as well. Casey’s Carnival Rides will also offer several attractions. Each of these events are a pay as you go.
The Apple Festival is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Parking is $5.
Reid’s Orchard is located at 4818 KY-144.
