Apple Festival starts Tuesday

Beginning the day after Labor Day and running through the following weekend, the South Carolina Apple Festival celebrates the beginning of apple harvest season in Oconee County, the largest apple-producing area in the state. The annual festival has drawn thousands of visitors to the Westminster area since its first appearance in 1961. Whether you enjoy whitewater rafting, shopping for arts and crafts, browsing antique shops, or listening to live music, the Apple Festival offers something for everyone. Most of the events are free and are planned with the entire family in mind. From the Kiddie Rides to booths featuring woodworking, jewelry, clothing, leather goods, and other handicrafts, the street provides blocks of shopping options. In addition, the food; BBQ, hot dogs, funnel cake, fried apples pies, homemade ice cream, homegrown apples, honey and fruit preserves, to name just a few of the selections available at this year’s South Carolina Apple Festival in downtown Westminster. A highlight of each year’s festival is the annual Apple Festival Parade, held at 4:30pm Friday, Sept. 11. The fun continues throughout the weekend on Main Street. Because food is served at the festival, no pets are allowed on Historic Main Street during festival hours.