Now in its 65th year, the qnnual North Carolina Apple Festival September 2–5 celebrates Hendersonville’s apple heritage with the theme “65 Years and Still Growing.”

This four-day street festival held during Labor Day weekend has plenty of activities and fun and is a great way to end the summer. Throughout the weekend, enjoy free entertainment, exhibits, the King Apple Parade, and plenty of apples.

Festivalgoers can browse arts and crafts booths and eat festival foods from apple fritters to funnel cakes to caramel apples.

There will be locally grown apples from 14 local growers as well as an array of apple products for sale, and guests can enjoy a delicious apple breakfast with fried apple pies.

There will be plenty of special events, including the Western North Carolina Air Museum open house, Gem and Mineral show, car show, and an apple recipe contest. Also, the Family Fun Zone with crafts, rides, and inflatables will keep children and adults entertained.

Friday night welcomes the classic sounds of The Buddy K Big Band from 7:30–10 p.m. Saturday night, the party continues with beach music from The Caribbean Cowboys from 5:30–7 p.m. Finish the weekend off with a little Motown sound from The Legacy from 8–10 p.m.

The festivities wrap up on Labor Day as the King Apple Parade makes its way through downtown Hendersonville.

For more information, call 828.697.4557 or visit ncapplefestival.org.