LINCOLN -- Where is the place to be the first weekend of October for good family fun?
At the 38th annual Arkansas Apple Festival on the downtown square in Lincoln, according to Kelley Bradley, chairman of the festival. There will be plenty of arts and crafts booths, food, entertainment, games and a parade to enjoy.
"This is a chance for Lincoln to shine," Bradley said. "There has been a lot of community support and we're anticipating a good turn out. We're hoping the weather will be accommodating. Right now vibes for the festival are positive."
The festival set for Oct. 3-5 will start on Friday with the opening of arts and crafts booths and at 10 a.m. on Saturday a parade of floats, vintage cars, rustic tractors, bands and local horse riders will begin.
The highlight of the festival is, of course, apples with free slices of the fruit at the red and white striped tent.
Lincoln Freemasons will have bags of apples for sale. Proceeds from the sale will go toward a Lincoln High School scholarship.
The Lincoln Kiwanis Club will have beans, cornbread and apple dumplings again this year at the Community Center, located in the center of the square. Student volunteers will help serve visitors to the festival.
A diversity of food vendors also will be available from Asian to Cajun to barbecue, funnel cakes, hot dogs and hamburgers
"We have more than 13 food vendors this year," Bradley said. "That is more than we've ever had -- that I remember anyway."
A talent contest is set for Saturday at 6 p.m. at the American Legion building. There will be two age groups, ages 8-12 and 13-17. Winners of each division will receive $100 and trophies. First runners-up will be awarded $75.
Entertainment on Saturday will be Flint Hill Ramblers at 2 p.m. on a stage in the middle of the square. Sunday's performance will be Cornbread and Milk at 2 p.m. on the same stage, according to Bradley.
A horseshoe tournament will be held again this year on the square. First, second and third places will be awarded. Anyone interested in the game should call Ed Marshall at 479-841-1487.
An apple core throwing contest is set for 2 p.m. Sunday for all ages in front of the fire station, according to Bradley.
Something new this year -- a dessert contest. Bradley said anyone interested could stop by Burger Land to pick up an application. All entry forms must be in by Oct. 1.
Kids World will again offer a variety of inflatable slides and obstacle course for children.
"We're excited to invite every one from the area, three-state region and even across the country," Bradley said. "We want people to come out and have fun. Most of all the festival is just a fun family event."
Though the festival is largely put together by volunteers, Bradley said it couldn't be done without help from the city.
"The city employees do such a great job," Bradley said. "If not for them this festival couldn't happen. We appreciate the city's help."
Bradley also said the Apple Festival committee had worked hard and deserved a lot of credit for the festival. Anyone interested in volunteering to help with future festivals can call Bradley at 479-957-1770 or attend Apple Festival meetings held every Monday starting in January. Anyone is welcome at the meetings.
QUOTE: "We're excited to invite every one from the area, three-state region and even across the country. We want people to come out and have fun." -- Kelley Bradley, chairman of Arkansas Apple Festival
Community on 10/01/2014