MOUNT VERNON — John Chapman, aka Johnny Appleseed, did some of his best work during the daylight hours, when the sunshine would help his newly planted apple trees to grow.
So it made since to celebrate his heritage in the light of day.
The sixth-annual Johnny Appleseed Festival went off without a hitch Sunday, while also celebrating a major change.
This year’s festival was all about “testing out (a) partnership with the park and being able to have a bigger footprint,” said Lacey Filkins, executive director of Experience Mount Vernon.
The festival previously been at night in downtown Mount Vernon, competing on Friday nights with high school football for attendance.
The change to a Sunday afternoon at the Ariel-Foundation Park was all about making the festival more accessible to those in the community. Like the work of Chapman, its goal was to also expand its footprint.
“I think we have a great turnout. We usually had a decent turnout before, but this is helpful that it’s all during the day,” Filkins said Sunday afternoon.
Festival festivities
Folks were able to fish before, during and after the festival. Mark Fritz, operations director of Ariel-Foundation Park, played a major role in stocking the waters.
There was also a fishing tournament. Teams competed for prizes based on the weight of the fish and numbers caught.
Other autumn-adjacent activities included face and pumpkin painting, hayrides, balloon animals and a fall photo booth.
Cows, goats, llamas, a camel and even a baby kangaroo also appeared at the festival, courtesy of Traveling Acres Farm Petting Zoo.
“We appreciate the park hosting us out here and helping with the hay rides. They’ve got the tractors coordinated for us, as well,” Filkins said.
Entertainment didn’t fall short at the Main Stage where a touring bluegrass band, Blue Diggity, attracted an attentive crowd.
(Here are Alexandra Hopkins’ photos of the event).
