[caption id="attachment_57479" align="aligncenter" width="1280"]<img class="wp-image-57479 size-full" src="https://theenterprise.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2021/10/Apple1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="960" /> Despite the overcast weather, the 20th annual Apple Dumping Festival went off without a problem.[/caption] <span style="font-weight: 400">By Taylor Boyd</span> <span style="font-weight: 400">The 20th annual Apple Dumpling Festival in downtown Stuart on Saturday, Oct. 16 went off without a hitch, according to Stuart Town Manager Bryce Simmons.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400">“Billy Gammons, who is our event coordinator with the town, he’s had this figured out for a pretty good while with this being the 20th year. I basically am here for moral support and to fill in where I can,” he said. </span> <span style="font-weight: 400">Simmons said attendees seemed to genuinely enjoy the festival. </span> [caption id="attachment_57480" align="alignright" width="310"]<img class=" wp-image-57480" src="https://theenterprise.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2021/10/Apple2-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="310" height="413" /> The 20th annual Apple Dumping Festival had dozens of vendors selling homemade crafts, food, home apparel items.[/caption] <span style="font-weight: 400">“Everyone seems to be having a good time. We’ve been able to highlight our amphitheater with the bands up there this year, and the town guys have done a really good job with the maintenance and trying to get downtown ready for everyone coming in,” he said.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400">Highlighting the downtown area was a boon, especially with the forecast calling for rain. </span> <span style="font-weight: 400">“You hope for sunny skies, but you plan for rain,” he added.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400">Festival regular Courtney Moose, of Stuart, said the festival was a good excuse for her and her husband to see their good friends and enjoy good food. </span> <span style="font-weight: 400">“I always love seeing all of the organizations that are doing fundraisers for their groups, and I also enjoy seeing all of the homemade crafts,” she said.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400">Another festival regular Karen Corbett, of Stuart, said she enjoyed the opportunity to get out and see everyone and the fellowship of the community. </span> <span style="font-weight: 400">“Any opportunity to eat is always a good thing,” she joked.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400">Corbett said the multiple handmade gnomes at different booths and around downtown Stuart were an interesting part of the festival. </span> [caption id="attachment_57481" align="aligncenter" width="1280"]<img class="wp-image-57481 size-full" src="https://theenterprise.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2021/10/Apple3.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="960" /> <br />Hundreds attended the Apple Dumping Festival on Saturday, Oct. 16.[/caption] <span style="font-weight: 400">“The idea of the gnomes of this year is very different. I’ve not seen as many of those, and I think they’re really cool,” she said.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400">Festival first-timer Tammy Stillwater, of Laurel Fork, said she decided to attend the event with her dog Tweedy after seeing a post about it on Facebook. </span> <span style="font-weight: 400">“It’s been really dog friendly, and I really like seeing the crafts and the good food,” she said. </span> <span style="font-weight: 400">Stillwater said her positive experience at the festival made her interested in attending other town festivals.</span>
