33rd Annual AppleFest Happens at Liberty Park Sept. 23-24

Villa Orchard will offer a variety of apples along with their famous cider slushies!

(Batesville, Ind.) - As autumn arrives – the Batesville Kiwanis will host their 33rd annual AppleFest at Liberty Park on September 23 & 24 as the community celebrates the apple harvest with special recognition to the event’s exclusive sponsor, Moore Law, LLC.

From artisans and businesses with a plethora of unique items and services to offer festival goers who frequent the Arts & Crafts and the Business Expos, to the menu of festival favorites and apple desserts, fest chairperson, Sue Siefert notes “We have activities, shopping opportunities, fun and entertainment for the entire family!

We are excited about the addition of Margaret Mary Health Foundation’s Suicide Prevention and Awareness 5K beginning at 9:00, and Kids Discovery Factory’s “Fastest Kid in Town” races launching at 2:30 – both on Saturday. Live entertainment will include Batesville’s Eureka Band performing at 11:00 and Marisa Fullenkamp at 1:00 on Saturday and Deno Koumoutsos entertaining at 11:00 on Sunday. D & B Martial Arts will offer demonstrations at 1:00 on Saturday and Miss Lizzy’s Performing Arts Academy will feature dancers at 11:30 on Sunday. The Batesville Memorial Public Library will host children’s activities all day on Saturday while Kids Discovery Factory hosts activities on Sunday. The Kiwanis Trackless Train Ride will roll through the scenic park both days and Kids’ Bounce Houses will be on-site while Kiwanis offer a wide variety of sandwiches and refreshments with apple desserts offered throughout the park.”

Looking for apples? Look no further as the Villa Orchard will offer a variety of apples along with their famous cider slushies! It would not be autumn without mums, and W A Strassell & Sons returns with their gorgeous assortment of mums and fall décor.

Past President, Paul Ketcham reports, “The Kiwanis members are changing things up a bit as we will be offering hourly Split-the-Pot Raffles which replace our former cash raffle drawing held in December. In addition, the Batesville Beautification League will also offer raffle tickets with their drawing being held Sunday afternoon.”

With the new additions to Saturday’s line-up, the AppleFest Royalty Pageant has been moved to 1:00 on Sunday and will feature Kindergarten and second grade candidates from Batesville Primary and St. Louis schools vying for the titles of Mister and Miss Apple Bud and Mister and Miss Apple Blossom, respectively.

For the past 20 years festival vendors and guests have come to know long-time AppleFest chairperson, Jay Reichmuth who passed away in July leaving the future of the festival in jeopardy. Kiwanis President, Ed Krause noted, “Just as Jay would have wanted, his Kiwanis friends have stepped up to ensure that AppleFest continues, and to honor Jay’s memory, we will name him the 2023 AppleFest King during the pageant in the pavilion on Sunday.”

Siefert added, “We have a record number of arts, crafts and business vendors offering a unique shopping experience, exciting activities for all ages, festival food, baked goods and mouthwatering apple desserts … all we need is you to join us as we welcome autumn, celebrate the apple harvest and pay tribute to Jay.”

For more information visit the Facebook page: Batesville Indiana Kiwanis