The activities begin Saturday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Oct. 17. The festival closes both days at 6 p.m.
Now in its ninth year, the Cleveland Apple Festival will offer a variety of arts and crafts, entertainment, food, competition and fun for the entire family.
Among the fun activities will be an Apple Pie Eating contest, and an Apple Dessert competition.
Entertainment will be offered from the stage at the Courthouse. The lineup includes Stormy and Adrian Fisher, Allemande Hall Cloggers, Christian comedian Joe Mullins, Chilhowee Dance, Sonrise Gymnastics, Tym Priest, Chris Fowler, Worship House Band and Dixie Sonshine.
Mullins of Cup of Joe Ministries will be a featured comedian on Saturday afternoon.
Mullins offers a “unique method of communicating biblical truth through comedy, storytelling and motivational speaking.”
He said his goal is to “provide the Body of Christ and others with funny, family friendly entertainment while engaging them with the truth of God's Word.”
Mullins is a graduate of Carson-Newman College and Oxford Graduate School. He was ordained by Westwood Baptist Church in 1992.
Mullins served as a pastor for 16 years. He has a “Passion for teaching and for reaching people for Christ.”
Chris Fowler of Chickamauga, Ga., offers acoustic, alternative and Christian music. He says his “one goal through all that I do is that as many people as possible would taste and see the Lord is good.” Fowler will perform on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Tym Priest, who introduces himself at a “crafter of fine songs,” will be playing at 5 p.m. Saturday.
Reigning over the Cleveland Apple Festival will be Little Miss Apple Blossom, Junior Miss Apple Blossom and Miss Apple Blossom. The competition in three age groups — 5 to 7 years, 8 to 10 years and 11 to 12 years — will feature youngsters in farm or country girl outfits. The competitions will be held on Sunday at 3 p.m., with rehearsal at 2 p.m.
Contestants will be interviewed on stage and participate in a prepageant judges chat. Applications for the competitions are available at www.clevelandapplefestival.org/contest_miss.php.
Grand prize winners in each age group will receive a $50 gift card and a trophy; and runner-up prizes for each age bracket are a $25 gift card and a trophy.
Trailhead Bicycle will be giving away two bikes — one on Saturday and one of Sunday — at the festival. To be eligible for the given away participants must have an entry ticket and be present at the time of the drawing. The drawing will be held at 5 p.m. both days.
Trailhead is the sponsor of the Kid’s Zone, where youngsters will find ponies to ride, a petting zoo, PALS (Pets are Lovable Society) and Bounce activities.
There will be a variety of food — including apples and apple products — available. Arts and crafts booths will offer a chance to get a head start on holiday shopping. There will also be some home-based businesses offering their products.
The Cleveland Apple Festival is a nonprofit organization that donates all proceeds to other nonprofits in the community.
Cost of the festival is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and children ages 3 to 12, and free for children ages 2 and under.
