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Flavors of fall return at Long Grove Apple Fest

One of the Midwest's biggest tributes to apple season takes place Friday through Sunday, Sept. 21-23, in historic downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Road. According to festival organizers, Apple Fest brings "bushels of fun" to the village it has called home for 27 years.

Apple Fest's claim-to-fame are the hundreds of apple-inspired treats. As always with a Long Grove festival, live music will play out all weekend on three stages spread throughout fest grounds.

When visitors aren't busy filling up on apple delicacies or rocking out, the Pop-Up Apple Orchard or the classic carnival is a refuge for entertainment, as is the Kid Zone with its apple pie-eating contests and interactive games.

"Apple Fest brings in people from all around the country," said Kendra Perri, one of the event organizers with the Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association. "But it's more than just a festival, it's the official kickoff to autumn, when this charming town really shines."

Apple Fest food

At the heart of Apple Fest is an open-air marketplace, where local vendors dole out locally-made, apple-inspired foods.

Apple Fest guests can choose from treats such as 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 cookie, apple tempura, and a variety of farm fresh picked apples from Frank's Farm Orchard.

Entertainment

In addition to three days of apple concoctions from apple vendors, festers can also participate in complimentary family activities. The Kid Zone at Apple Fest continues all weekend long with a variety of apple-themed throwback games, and arts and crafts for ages 3-13.

The headline event in this area each day is the apple pie eating contest sponsored by Long Grove Confectionery. Besides all the apple fun, the other big entertainment draw at Apple Fest is the live music acts playing continuously on several stages spread out through fest grounds. The full lineup can be found at longgrove.org/festivals/apple-fest/

Shopping

During Apple Fest weekend, festers are invited to peruse the cobblestone walkways of historic downtown Long Grove and enjoy specials at many of the shops, boutiques, galleries, and restaurants.

Merchants roll out the red carpet for visitors during fest weekend, which, according to Perri, is the "perfect time to explore all the wonders Long Grove has to offer."

Apple Fest hours are noon to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5; free for children younger than 12.

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