There's An Apple Festival In Illinois And It's Just As Wacky And Wonderful As It Sounds
By Linze Rice|Published July 13, 2023
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Linze Rice
Author
Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
Growing up in DeKalb County, I know the special place that local festivals have in the community and the region at large. In DeKalb, we have Corn Fest, and in Sycamore we have Pumpkin Fest — two big-time traditions that hold meaning in my heart. So when I hear of a hometown festival, my interest is immediately piqued. There’s nothing quite like strolling down wide open streets filled with the smell of fresh-baked (or fried) foods, live music, homemade crafts, rides, and seeing people enjoying themselves. Fortunately, this apple-themed unique fall festival in Illinois has all those features and more.
The Murphysboro Apple Festival is an over 70-year tradition in the small Southern Illinois town of Murphysboro, about a 10-minute drive from Carbondale.
It began as a 1-day festival to promote local businesses, but today is one of the largest and oldest festivals in the region — attracting more than 45,000 visitors annually (over 6 times the town's population!) for a 4-day event steeped in tradition.
It always occurs on the second weekend after Labor Day in September, with 2023 dates being September 13-17.
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The unique festival is a huge part of the town's culture, which is more than familiar with engaging in the weird and wonderful. In fact, Murphysboro is also the origin of the Southern Illinois legend "The Big Muddy Monster," a Bigfoot-like creature.
However, the festival has its own special mascot: Captain Applesauce! The character was created in 1980 and serves as the face of the fest. Each year he kicks the festival off by reading to kids at the local library.
There is also the Appletime Golf Classic, Appletime Show & Shine, Appletime Cornhole Tournament, Appletime Fiddle & Banjo Contest, Apple Blossom Contest, Window Display Contest, Appletime 5K walk/Run, a Prince & Princess Contest, and the Miss Apple Festival Scholarship Pageant.
So, would you add this unique fall festival in Illinois to your bucket list? Have you ever attended before? What’s your favorite local festival in the Prairie State? Tell us in the comments! Start planning your visit by checking out the Murphysboro Apple Festival website and the Murphysboro Apple Festival Facebook page. And while you’re in town, make sure to take a moment to taste some of the best barbecue in the country at this local restaurant.
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