Staff reports
PAINTSVILLE — The Kentucky Apple Festival marks 45 years this year when the event gets under way Oct. 6 — the first Saturday in October, as always.
Friday night will bring a concert by City Heat and Sweetness at 8 p.m. on the main stage at the Johnson County Courthouse.
On the main stage at 8 p.m. Saturday will be country music star Crystal Gayle.
However, music will begin at 1:30 p.m. Friday and at 10 a.m. Saturday with local acts, including Southern Storm, Rob McNurlin, Luna, Ransom, Purple Haze, Amber Martin, Big Sandy Singers, Lonesome Hollow Boys, Tyler Childers and Melanie Stapleton.
Always a highlight of a festival, this one offers a parade with the theme of “Mountain Spirit.” Schools, civic organizations and businesses will have floats competing for as much as $750 in each of the three categories.
Foods are not to be ignored, either. They are a centerpiece at most festivals and are, of course, at this one. Treats for sale during the festival are Tiger Ears and fried apple pies. The festival’s Web site — includes kyapplefest.org — includes recipes for some favorites that make use of the apple, such as Apple Cream Cake and apple dumplings.
The festival includes a wide variety and large number crafters and events, such as the 5K Apple Run, baby contests, bike show, clogging, crank-it-up contest, Ducky Derby, folk dancing, lip sync and karaoke contests, quilt block contest, costume contest, terrapin trot and square dance.
