Guide to Long Grove's 23rd Annual Apple Fest

By: Jonathan Jones 09/25/2015

Ready to compare apples to apples. These succulent red treats that you and I love in our pies, salads and doused in caramel (my personal favorite) are available for you at the 23rd Annual Apple Fest in Long Grove all weekend. Not only will you take home supplies of apples you all love, there are other apple-inspired treats, live entertainment and family fun at beautiful, quaint Historic Downtown Long Grove.

The 23rd annual Apple Fest runs on Friday, September 25 through Sunday, September 27, from 10am - 10pm between Friday and Saturday, while Sunday runs from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Long Grove's Apple Fest was featured in Thrillst's top food and drink cities at no. 18 with applefest being mentioned!

Apple Fest visitors are invited to get their apple fix with apple-inspired treats from local merchants and vendors such as:

• Apple cake, apple spiced donuts, and caramel apple lattes from Beans & Leaves Coffee & Tea Cafe
• Apple and rhubarb pie, apple butter with scones, and apple tea from High Tea with Gerri
• Apple pies,  apple cider, caramel apples, and apple cider donuts with sugar and cinnamon from Long Grove Confectionary
• Apple-flavored popcorn from Long Grove Popcorn Shoppe
• Candied apples, apple fudge, apple sour candies, apple caramels, a variety of apple saltwater taffy, and apple licorice from Ma & Pa’s Candy
• Honey apple pecan dip mix from Country Home Creations will be available at Mangel Gifts

Plus, delight in apple-themed food, drink and merchandise from participating restaurants and shops throughout the weekend including:

• Apple-inspired gifts from Viking Treasures
• Famous caramel apple martinis from Enzo & Lucia Ristorante
• Fresh baked apple turnovers, caramelized apple and bacon cheeseburger, caramel apple sundae, a variety of apple martinis, and seasonal hard cider from Village Tavern
• Apple pie shots, apple infused vodka (served as a shot or cocktail) and apple fritter martinis at Long Grove Cafe
• Apple pie flavored cigars from Neumann’s Cigars & More
• Broken Earth Winery’s Albarino white wine, with the aroma and flavor of Fuji apples, makes it’s public debut at Apple Fest.  Plus, stop by the Broken Earth Winery booth or store location to enter for your chance to win accommodations and indoor water park passes for six at the Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan Michigan.  Must be 21 years old to enter.

So follow your nose (like Toucan Sam) and make your way to Long Grove's annual fest. 

While delighting in the wide range of treats available, the whole family can also enjoy entertainment at venues all over town.

Live Entertainment

Along with the delicious eats, you will receive a slew of fantastic live performances. Here's your lineup

Friday Main Stage:

Trippin Billies: 8-10 p.m. 97Nine: 6-7:30 p.m Dennis Caravello Band: 4-5:30 pm. David Paige Band: 2- 3:30 p.m. Acoustic Alibi: Noon - 1:30 pm.

Saturday Main Stage:

Lucky Boys Confusion 8:30-10 p.m. Infinity: 6-7:45 p.m. PettyCash: 4-5:30 p.m. Sam Fazio Trio: 2-3:30 pm. Acoustic Alibi: Noon - 1:30 p.m.

Sunday Main Stage:

Suburban Cowboys: 5-7 p.m. The Gingers: 3-4:30 p.m. Rosie & the Rivets: 1:30-2:30 pm. Kevin Mileski Trio: Noon - 1 p.m.

Mill Pond Stage

Friday Mill Pond:

John Till: 4-6 p.m. Stilettos N' Spurs Duo: 2-3:30 p.m.

Saturday Mill Pond

Brent Brown: 4-6 p.m. Own Stevenson: 2 - 3:30 p.m. Jeremy and Steve: Noon- 1:30 p.m.

Sunday Mill Pond

Dave Bess: 4-6 p.m. Andrew Jess: 2-3:30 p.m. Ryan Buyak: Noon - 1:30 p.m.

Fountain Square Stage

Friday Fountain Square

Makena Harlie Duo: 4-6 p.m. Evan Hand 2 - 3:30 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday Fountain Square

Jack Elier: Noon - 6 p.m.

Continue here for more music acts at Village Tavern and Beans & Leaves Coffee & Tea.

Kidtivities at Apple Fest

Are the youngsters as excited as you are for the festivities. Long Grove offers a fully loaded schedule of fun activities for the kiddies.

You better believe the youngin's competition levels will be up because of the Apple Pie Eating Contests as well. Let's take a look at the lineup at the Towner Green Kids Zone.

Friday Towner Green

Bubbler: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Potato Sack Races: 2 p.m.

Saturday Towner Green

Bubbler: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Home Depot Football Toss: Noon - 2 p.m. Apple Pie Eating Contest: 1 p.m. In Motion Dance Performance: 2 p.m. Tug of War: 2:30 p.m. Limbo Competition: 3:30 pm.

Sunday Towner Green

Bubbler: 10 am. - 4 p.m. Tug of War: 11:30 a.m. Long Grove Arts Academy Performance: 12:15-12:45 Home Depot Football Toss: Noon - 2 p.m. Apple Eating Contest: 1 p.m. Three-Legged Race: 2 p.m. Potato Sack Races: 3:30 p.m.

Admission to the festival is $5 and free for children 12 and under.  All proceeds will benefit the Long Grove Business and Community Partners to support yearly programming and events.  For more information visit www.visitlonggrove.com.