Darlington Apple Festival 2019: Parking, Activities, Music

DARLINGTON, MD — Ovens are filled with pies and other goodies as bakers prepare for the annual Darlington Apple Festival. It marks the 33rd year for the event, when the tiny town's population grows from the hundreds to more than 50,000.

This year's festival will feature familiar favorites like hayrides, pony rides and the apple pie contest. There's also the Bel Air Rotary Club cornhole tournament and hours of live music on the festival stage.

There will be new "photo props," according to Darlington Apple Festival Chair Elaine Calderon. These are the boards where people put their faces inside. Some had weathered over the years, she said.

Every year, families come from near and far to celebrate the first Saturday in October off Shuresville Road.

"It's amazing how many people have been coming to this festival every year for 20 years," Calderon said. They have their favorite destinations and turn the festival into a tradition.

Vendor stands are run by nonprofit organizations like churches, who raise funds to help support their efforts throughout the year.

While every booth is worth visiting, here are the spots Calderon said are among her favorites:

• "Hosanna Church does the fried fish thing, which people love," Calderon said. "Their fish is a 'gotta get.'" Hosanna A.M.E. Church sells fried fish sandwiches, plus cakes, pies and apple dumplings.
• "The Episcopal church does pit beef, and its really awesome," she added. Grace Episcopal Church says its booth will be on the left-hand side of Shuresville Road as people enter from Main Street. It will have two booths, one with pit beef and another with pies.
• Wilson Ministry Center makes "apple delight," which is a cored apple with caramel and whipped cream. Said Calderon: "They're really, really good."

Guide To Darlington Apple Festival 2019

When To Go: The Darlington Apple Festival is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. The apple pie contest award winners will be announced at noon at the Haybale Auditorium.

What Not To Bring: Neither pets nor alcohol is permitted.

Where Is It: The festival is at 2120 Shuresville Road in Darlington. See the festival map.

When Is The Apple Pie Contest: Submit pies from 9 to 10 a.m. at Darlington United Methodist Church, 2118 Shuresville Road. Drop them off in the basement. Read the contest rules. The contest is free to enter.

Who's Playing: Check out the live music schedule below.

• 10 a.m. — Willig Boys
• 11:15 a.m. — Lady K and the Steelmen
• 12:30 p.m. — Grace Assembly praise band
• 1:30 p.m. — Chasing Fridays (two-hour set)

What Kind Of Vendors: Booths will be set up for those selling everything from apples to yoga mats to Thanksgiving flower arrangements to feather hairpins. See the vendor list.

What Activities Are There: Hayrides, pony rides, face painting and cornhole, to name a few. The cornhole contest is free to enter.

Where To Park: People can park off site and take a shuttle to the festival from Chesapeake Harley-Davidson (4600 Thunder Court), the Darlington firehouse (2600 Castleton Road) and the field across from the High's gas station (4585 Conowingo Road).

Where Is Handicapped Parking: This is on the grounds of Darlington Elementary School. To get there from MD Route 161/Darlington Road, take a right onto Old Quaker Road and then proceed on School Road. Signs for handicapped parking will be posted.

How Old Is It: The festival started in 1986. It is run by volunteers.