Johnny Appleseed Festival blends familiar fun with new features

For more than half a century, the Johnny Appleseed Festival has been a staple of the Apple Creek summer. That will again be the case this year, and festival committee member Shelly Baumgardner said the 2025 edition promises to be bigger and better.

“This year’s Johnny Appleseed Festival is shaping up to be another great festival, with an exciting mix of new attractions and cherished traditions that keep people coming back year after year,” Baumgardner said. “We’ve added brand-new live music performances and a fun, hands-on science show from Whiz Bang Science that’s perfect for kids and families.”

That only begins to describe things. The two-day annual festival, which will take place July 25 from 4-10 p.m. and July 26 from 2-10 p.m., will be action- and activity-packed both days from start to finish.

All the staples will be there, and Baumgardner said plenty of new things including inflatables for kids will be available from open to close both days.

“Of course, many of the festival’s beloved traditions will still be front and center,” Baumgardner said. “That includes the Little Miss Apple Blossom Pageant, our delicious on-site chicken barbecue (both days until sold out), the exciting fireman’s water barrel contest, cornhole and volleyball tournaments, and, of course, our community parade. These are the moments that bring generations together and make the weekend feel truly special.”

The annual parade will be July 26 at 2 p.m. Lineup is at 1 p.m. at the James Dale Ford Dealership. No registration is required.

Little Miss Apple Blossom will be crowned during the festivities. The contest is for girls age 5-8 who live in the 44606 ZIP code. The winner will be announced July 25 at approximately 6:30 p.m. There will be a princess gathering July 23 at 6 p.m.

The parade again will feature Little Miss Appleseed, winner of the princess contest. All five contestants will be in the parade, riding in their own wagon and tossing candy and waving to the crowd.

Little Miss Apple Blossom activities will include a prefestival princess gathering at which the contestants can meet one another, have some treats, take pictures and even make a craft.

“It’s a fun, low-pressure way for the girls to bond and feel celebrated,” Baumgardner said. “We’re incredibly thankful to Sayres Hospitality for sponsoring this event and helping us create such a memorable moment for the girls.”

As of two years ago, event organizers were looking to add to the 2,000 or so visitors who had been taking in the festival in prior years. Baumgardner said things are headed in that direction.“We’ve made meaningful progress toward growing the Johnny Appleseed Festival over the past couple of years,” she said. “This year especially, we worked hard to strengthen partnerships with local businesses and sponsors who share our vision of making the festival bigger and better while giving back to the community. We’re proud to say we had more support and sponsorships than in previous years, which helps us expand and improve the festival experience for everyone.”

New within the last couple of years were girls and co-ed volleyball tournaments, along with a cornhole tournament. Volleyball will take place Friday with check-in and warm-ups at 5:30 p.m.A cornhole tournament, sponsored by Casa di Sassi, will begin at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday next to the ball field at Apple Creek Town Park. There is a $20 fee per team with cash prizes for first and second place. Register ahead of time or as a walk-up. Full details can be found on the festival Facebook page.

Baumgardner said pickleball may be in the festival’s future. The increasingly popular sport has been an addition at many events, and Baumgardner said money raised from the 2024 festival is being saved toward the installation of a pickleball court. Stay tuned for more on that.If there’s one thing that’s been missing from the festival, it’s much to do with Johnny Appleseed.

“Connecting the festival more closely to Johnny Appleseed’s legacy remains a key goal for the committee,” Baumgardner said. “We understand how important it is to celebrate the man behind the name and share his story in ways that engage and inspire the community. To help achieve this, we’re partnering with the local historical society and other groups to bring more educational programs, live demonstrations and historical storytelling into the festival. This year we’re excited to bring back apple dumplings and incorporate apple-themed elements into the Little Miss Apple Blossom Pageant, which helps tie the festival more directly to Johnny Appleseed’s heritage.”

Also part of the weekend is a 3D Meats raffle. As of midweek tickets were still on sale for a $325 package of meats. The drawing will be July 26 at 7 p.m. The winner need not be present. The prize consists of a family bundle, meat for a week bundle and a weekend bundle. No more than 300 tickets will be sold.

Sponsorship opportunities are available, and if it’s too late, you can always get in next year. Levels are Legacy Orchard Sponsor ($1,500 and up), Mighty Apple Tree Sponsor ($500 and up), Seed Planter Sponsor ($250 and up) and Friend of the Festival (less than $250). Each comes with more sponsor benefits, the higher the level. Email Baumgardner at mommabear0416@yahoo.com.