The family-oriented festival includes a juried arts and craft show, live music, food booths, pony and hay rides, children’s activities, dessert-making and apple pie eating competitions and more. There will also be home-based businesses showcasing products.
The activities get under way Saturday at 10 a.m. and continue until 6 p.m. The festival continues on Sunday and runs from 1 to 6 p.m.
The Trailhead Bicycle Kids’ Zone will offer free activities for the youngsters. Besides pony rides, youngsters will find a petting zoo and Moon Bounce.
The stage for entertainment will be located in front of the Bradley County Courthouse, Ocoee Street side.
The Saturday entertainment schedule includes Adrian and Stormy Fisher at 11 a.m.; Allemande Hall Cloggers at noon; Chris Dennison and Family at 1 p.m.; Joe Mullins of Cup of Joe Ministries at 3 p.m.; Chilhowee Dance at 3 p.m.; SonRise Gymnastics at 4 p.m.; and Tym Priest at 5 p.m.
On Sunday, entertainment will include SonRise Gymnastics at 1 p.m.; Chris Fowler at 2 p.m.; Worship House Band, 4 p.m.; and Dixie Sunshine at 5 p.m.
At 2 p.m. Saturday, the winner of the Apple Dessert Contest will be announced. In a quest for the best homemade apple dessert recipes, the competition will be held on Saturday. Entries must be at the contest table by 12:30 p.m. for judging.
First-place winner of the Apple Dessert Contest will have the recipe featured on the menu at Mountain View Inn. The winner will also receive a one-night’s stay at Chattanooga Choo-Choo Holiday Inn, two tickets to the Tennessee Aquarium’s River Journey and Ocean Journey; admission for two to the IMAX 3D Theater; $10 in Choo Choo bucks for use at the gift shops or restaurant; and tickets to the model railroad museum.
Second prize will be a $50 gift card.
On Sunday, the hearty appetites of local resident will be tested with the Apple Pie Eating Contest. Sponsored by Hardee’s and Applebee’s, the pie eating competition will be held in two age groups. The winners will receive dinner for two at Applebee’s.
At 3 p.m. Sunday, the Apple Blossom pageants will be held to select Miss Apple Blossom, Junior Miss Apple Blossom and Little Miss Apple Blossom.
Contestants will compete in three age groups — 5 to 7 for Little Miss Apple Blossom; 8 to 10 for Junior Miss Apple Blossom; and 11 to 12 for Miss Apple Blossom. Contestants will be interviewed on stage and in a pre-pageant judge’s chat. They should be attired in farmer-style or country-style clothing. No makeup will be allowed and hair must be age appropriate.
The winner in each age division will receive a $50 gift card and trophy. The runner-up in each age division will also receive a trophy and a $25 gift card.
Contestants must be signed in by 1:30 p.m. Sunday to compete in the Apple Blossom pageants.
At 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Trailhead Bicycle Co. will be giving away a bicycle. The winner must be present at the drawing to accept prizes.
The Cleveland Apple Festival is a 501 (c) (3) public charity. It donates the proceeds from the festival to various nonprofits and charities.
The cost of the festival is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and children 12 and under, and free for children under 2.
