I Like My Apples with a little Rock and Roll

By: Tom Crabtree | News Channel 7
Published: August 29, 2008 | 0 Comments | Post a Comment

One of the great Labor Day traditions of our area is the North Carolina Apple Festival in Hendersonville, Friday through Monday, August 29-September 1.

It's where more than 200 growers produce 65% of the apples grown in the Tar Heel state.

I'm giving you a personal invitation to join me there and enjoy everything apple, plus rock and roll!

The festival presents a wide variety of live entertainment, and my classic rock band, "Rock and Roll Reunion," is honored to be among the performers.

We'll be there Sunday 8/31 from 5:15 - 6:15 pm, rain or shine. The stage is in front of the old courthouse on Main Street, between 1st and 2nd Avenue.

I've attended and/or performed at this festival nearly every year since the mid-1990s. It attracts a ton of people (250,000 expected this time).

Just about every apple treat you can imagine is sold, along with a wide variety of arts and crafts. Hendersonville also has great restaurants and one of the nicest downtowns in our area.

How do you find the festival? There are a couple of ways:

1. Take Interstate 26 westbound (toward Asheville) to the Highway 64 West exit in Hendersonville. 64 West is also "Four Seasons Boulevard." Follow this a couple of miles to downtown. You will cross over King Street, then Main Street (where the festival is held). Take the next left onto Church Street, Highway 25 South, and begin looking for parking. There are paid lots, as well as on-street parking (though it may be hard to come by, depending on the crowds, and you may not want to walk that far).

2. You might also try this: from I-26, take the Upward Road exit before Hendersonville, turn left. Follow Upward Road to Highway 176/Spartanburg Highway, and turn right onto 176 toward Hendersonville. Look for the right turn onto Glover Street. Leave your car in Jackson Park, and take the shuttle to the festival area.

If you plan to stay for the entertainment, I recommend you bring a lawn chair. There are bleachers, but they fill up fast.

I'll see you there, and we'll have a great time!