Darlington: Harford County's Big Apple

The quiet, sleepy village of Darlington comes alive Saturday like no other day of the year.

The Apple Festival brings unprecedented crowds to the northeastern Harford County community.

Arts and crafts vendors line Shuresville Road in Darlington. Fall-themed events and items will be available, and a variety of food and drinks will be sold along the thoroughfare.

An apple pie contest will be held, as well.

The event is family friendly, with children’s-themed activities all over the village. Popular hay rides will be held through Silver Park.

All the vendor spaces have been filled. Because of recent rain, no vendors will be allowed to drive on Darlington Elementary School property.

The Hay Bale Auditorium will host the following musical acts: God's Promise, Bridge 2819, AcrossTheTracks, Gospel Travellers from John Wesley UM Church, Bean Soupe Project, and Ed Sager and Friends. The Apple of Our Eye Award will be presented at 11:45 a.m.

Parking is at a premium and traffic can be heavy leading into and out of Darlington. Routes to consider:

• U.S. Route 1—north from Bel Air, south from Cecil County
• MD Route 161—accessible from MD Route 155. Northbound 161 leads into Darlington
• Via Susquehanna State Park—accessible from Havre de Grace
• Route 136—From Churchville