Brighton's Applefest marks 50 years in 2024 and organizers will need some volunteer help. /Applefest Facebook photo
Fifty years ago, Brighton’s iconic Applefest got its start featuring local farmers and apple growers.
Over the years, the festival has grown to serve as Brighton’s signature event and a staple of the fall festival season across Northumberland while attracting thousands to the area.
And this year’s Applefest will be a special edition as the festival marks half a century.
Looking back to Applefest’s roots, Laura Knegt, chair of the Applefest steering committee, noted it started off in 1974 as a small festival downtown.
At its core, Applefest was created to celebrate the local apple harvest at the height of the season.
Over the years, Applefest has changed and grown to more than just a street fair – although the street fair is known for filling Main Street with area vendors and merchants offering up all kinds of eats, gems and apple-inspired treats and fun.
With a popular car show, helicopter rides, the growing children’s area set up at King Edward Park and more, Applefest now stretches across town, drawing in anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 people during the last full weekend of September.
This year, all the traditional favourite staples of the festival will return, but there will also be an emphasis and showcase of Applefest’s history as part of 50-year celebrations, explained Knegt.
As part of this, the committee is looking to collect Applefest photos spanning the years – and hopes residents will answer a call to share photos. The photos will be used to create a historical display to be unveiled before the big event, to promote the festival and for special banners to adorn the downtown, explained Knegt.
“We’re trying to chronical all the years from the beginning if possible.”
Applefest is powered by a contingent of volunteers and municipal staff – volunteering on the day of is another way to mark this year’s special milestone, noted Knegt.
“We have a very small committee – we also have some staff who work with us as well who are amazing, but we find we’re always shorthanded on that day. It’s a long day, it’s a busy day and we need the residents of Brighton if they’re able to donate a morning or an afternoon.”
While it’s still early days and the lineup isn’t finalized, the big push for Applefest is anticipated after Canada Day. Residents are encouraged to stay tuned for more details to come.
“There is more to come. We’re all pretty excited about it being the 50th and we are trying to do some different things, but it’s within a limited budget.”
Brighton has set up a dedicated online form where people can submit photos. Folks can also keep an eye on the Brighton Applefest Facebook page for festival updates.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
