Long Grove Apple Fest offers sweet surprises
A Midwestern tribute to apple season will return to historic downtown Long Grove for its 28th consecutive year.
For the 2019 edition, Apple Fest, held Friday, Sept. 20, through Sunday, Sept. 22, finds itself in a spacious new location in the center in town.
This signature Long Grove festival includes lots of apple delicacies — everything from fresh apple cider doughnuts to green apple cotton candy — live music on two stages and the Kids Zone providing classic entertainment choices like apple pie-eating contests and timeless games.
“We invite you to bring the family and have bushels of fun for everyone at Apple Fest,” said Dave Gayton with the Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association.
“And when you need a break, the new look historic downtown Long Grove offers some of the best shopping and dining in the Northwest suburbs.”
At the heart of Apple Fest are the vendors doling out locally made, apple-inspired cuisine. In the past, Apple Fest has featured countless handmade options, including chocolate caramel apples, candy covered apples, apple wine, apple sangria, hard apple ciders, fresh apple cider doughnuts, spiced apple lattes, granny apple popcorn, green apple cotton candy, apple crisps, apple goat cheese dumplings, apple cheesecake, apple pie, cinnamon apple ice cream, apple sugar cookies, apple tempura, a variety of farm fresh picked apples from Frank's Farm Orchard and more.
In addition to three days of apple-themed treats, fest goers can also participate in family activities. The Kids Zone in Towner Square includes a variety of throwback games and arts and crafts geared toward ages 3-13. The headline event in this area each day of the weekend is the apple pie eating contest sponsored by Long Grove Confectionery.
The other big entertainment draw at Apple Fest is the live music playing continuously on two stages throughout fest grounds, headlined by Petty Kings Friday, Sixteen Candles Saturday and Mellencougar Sunday. The full 2019 lineup can be found at longgrove.org/festivals/apple-fest.
“Apple Fest is the perfect opportunity to explore historic downtown Long Grove and enjoy one-of-a-kind, small-town shops, boutiques, restaurants, wine bars and even a brewery,” Gayton said. “Come out and experience the charm and hospitality that defines Long Grove.”
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28th annual Long Grove Apple Fest
When: Noon-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20-22
Where: Stempel Parking Lot, 340 Historical Lane, Long Grove; Kids Zone one block away in Towner Square
Admission: $5; children younger than 12 admitted free; three-day pass for $10 available online only
Details: longgrove.org/festivals/apple-fest