Johnny Appleseed Celebrates 25 Years In Crystal Lake In September

The legend of Johnny Appleseed has been alive in Downtown Crystal Lake for 25 years and this year’s event on Saturday, September 30th promises to be the biggest and best. Thousands of families attend the festival to celebrate the season, community and enjoy a variety of apple-flavored delights. According to Downtown Crystal Lake Board Chairman, Richard Harms, “It’s bushels of fun for everyone!”

Named in honor of the historic orchardist and nurseryman, the Johnny Appleseed Festival includes tremendous fun for all ages. It is held the last Saturday each September in honor of Appleseed’s a/k/a John Chapman’s birthday (9/26/1774). Activities include pony rides, wagon rides, pumpkin train, children’s games, moonwalk, pie baking contest, craft fair, face painting, music, dancing and even Johnny Appleseed himself, to tell stories of seeding orchards in the frontier days of 1812-1845.

New to the 25th year of the festival will be an early morning Pancake Breakfast (7 a.m. to 10 a.m.) at Bethany Lutheran Church. Back by popular demand are the Petting Zoo, Apple Ride, Mini Ferris Wheel, Climbing Tower, and Giant Slide! The Crystal Lake Historical Society will setup and demonstrate its Antique Apple Cider Press, and bakers are encouraged to enter the Apple Pie Baking Contest. Hours for the festival are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Great Ball Race Raffle and Great BIG Ball Race will be held at 3 p.m. with a Grand Prize of $1,000! The Great BIG Ball Race features local celebrities running UP the hill on Brink Street from Metro Bowl to Dalzell Jewelers after thousands of colored, numbered balls are rolled DOWN the hill to select the $1,000 winner. Other prizes are also given.

Educator and historian, Steve McPhail, will once again portray Johnny Appleseed. Johnny will be walking among the festival guests sharing historic information about sowing apple seeds on the frontier through 1845 to form orchards and establish nurseries. Historic records indicate John Chapman was an animal rights activist, vegetarian, and a member of the Church of Swedenborg. He never touched tea, coffee, or tobacco; and never carried a gun. John Chapman would spread his philosophy along with his apple seeds from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania, Ohio and into the Midwest.

Downtown Crystal Lake Main Street is where Hip meets Historic with unique shops, restaurants, arts, culture and family friendly fun. For more information, maps and event calendar, visit www.DowntownCL.org.