The 23rd annual Apple Dumpling Festival is set for Saturday, October 19 in Downtown Stuart.
The event will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include vendors, crafts, games, music, food, and more.
Town Manager Bryce Simmons said music will be set up in the parking lot of Farmers Insurance, the same place as last year.
“We know there’s a couple new businesses that are open in downtown this year. We fully expect that Tony’s (Pizza) will serve pizza by the slice, and we hope the Star Theatre will be able to provide some additional entertainment,” he said.
Simmons expects about 80 vendors to set up during the festival and noted interested vendors can apply to set up the day of the event.
“We don’t ever have a set limit, it’s just as we run out of space, and it’s always first come first serve for your spot. Anyone that wants to do it last minute is welcome to show up and pay the vendor fee of $30 for the day of the festival,” he said.
Last year’s festival attracted between 3,000 to 3,500 people, Simmons said.
Attendance “always sort of depends on the weather and what it looks like that day,” he said.
Marcie Horne and Mike Pendleton will take the stage from 11-11:45 a.m., Face 2 Face, a Christian rock band, will perform from 12-12:45 p.m., and The Hutchens will finish the show by playing from 1-2:15 p.m. Sound will be by August Heat Audio.
For additional information about the festival, contact Billy Gammons or Susan Slate at (276) 694-3811, or via email at susan.slate@stuartva.org.
Apple Dumpling 5K race
The annual Apple Dumpling 5K race will be held before the festival. Hosted by the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA), the 5K will follow along the Mayo River Rail Trail. Proceeds from the race will go towards DRBA’s trail development in Patrick County.
Registration for the race begins at 7 a.m. and costs $30. The race will begin at 8 a.m.
Pre-registered runners will receive a guaranteed T-shirt, and all runners will receive a finisher medal, a marked course, and a chance for awards.
For more information and to register for the 5K, go to www.patrickchamber.com, or call (276) 694-6012.
