Saturday, October 26, 2019 rain date October 27
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

If you're ready for fall and looking for a fun, free, family-friendly event, mark your calendars for Historic Bethabara Park's Apple Festival! Beloved by many, this yearly event features local artisans and craftsmen, a puppet show, local food vendors, racing pigs, a petting zoo, live music, and, of course, apples. 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 2019

This page will be updated as information becomes available.

 Barn Field

 Gemeinhaus

 Visitor Center

 Main Stage Music

Pavilion

Apple History at Bethabara Park

When Moravians arrived in Bethabara in 1753, they almost immediately set about planting apple trees from seeds brought from Europe. According to records, it was recommended to plant six apple trees for every family member.

Within a few years, all the hills around the Park were filled with apple orchards. It is estimated between five and eight acres, according to the maps the Moravians kept.

Apples were among Bethabara's biggest products, probably not far behind cattle. The settlers also probably traded grafts from apple trees to pioneers who passed through Bethabara on their way our west.

Historically, apples were a big part of American life. In the Piedmont, people mostly dried apples but the Moravians built root cellars where fresh apples could be kept for a long time.

Apples were used the same as today - dried apples in pies, apple cider to drink, as a side dish and as vinegar.

We celebrate Apple Festival with a tribute to the Moravian way of life on this day.

A message for vendors:

As a rule, Historic Bethabara Park does not have space for new vendors at Apple Fest. Most (if not all) vendors return year after year. On the rare instance we do have spots open up, we turn to vendors who have exhibited here in the past and then pull from our wait list (which is quite long).

However, if you would like to be added to our wait list, please send us a description and pictures of your items, as well as a link to your website. All items must be home made and "fit" with the colonial feel of Historic Bethabara Park. Vendors who demonstrate a period craft or trade will be given preference.

All Park events are rain or shine and vendors are expected to participate regardless of weather. Vendors are charged a $75 non-refundable vendor fee and must agree to sign a hold harmless clause with the park.

Send your information to Samantha Smith (samanthas@cityofws.org) and you will be placed on the wait list. We will contact you if you are selected to be a vendor. Due to the large volume of requests we receive, we ask for no phone calls please.