La Crescent’s first Apple Festival was September 1949. La Crescent resident Mel Hickenbotham proposed the idea to Ralph Jones as a celebration to promote La Crescent’s apple industry and “put La Crescent on the map.” The initial planning session was held just two weeks prior to fest. The first Apple Festival was a huge success. The crowd exceeded all expectations and was

just a sample of what was to come, as the festival has grown in size and quality every year.

Schedule

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

7:00am-8:00am 5k Registration and Packet Pick Up at Old Hickory Park

7:00am Big Apple Kickball Bash Tournament at Veterans Park. Register online ($150 per 10- person team). Drinks available for purchase. 

8:30am 5k Race Starts (Route is Old Hickory Park to Quillin's)

9:00am-3:00pm Great River Makers Market at La Crescent Area Event Center

10:00am-1:00am King Apple Tent Open (Sponsored by Gittens- Leidel American Legion Post 595)

10:00am-4:00pm La Crescent History Center & Apple Museum Tours at 328 S. 3rd St., La Crescent

10:00am Cornhole Tournament Registration hosted by Coulee Region Cornhole at King Apple Tent (Sponsored by Al's Concrete)

$20 per 2-person team

Bags fly at 11:00am

10:30am Little King & Little Miss Check-In at Crucifixion School

10:30am-11:45am Kiddie Parade Registration (Theme: Candy Apple) at Crucifixion Parking Lot

11:00am Little King & Little Miss Pageant (Sponsored by Kaddy's Kafe)

Noon Kiddie Parade (Sponsored by Thorson Graphics)

Noon-11:00pm Carnival Open (K&M Rides & Amusements) 

Noon-4:00pm Carnival Wristbands $25, purchase at festgrounds (no presales)  

Noon-4:30pm Vintage Base Ball at Old Hickory Park Noon: La Crescent Apple Jacks v Mankato Baltics 1:30pm: Mankato Baltics v St. Croix/Quicksteps 3pm: St. Croix/Quicksteps v La Crescent Apple Jacks 

12:30pm Big Wheel Races at Crucifixion Parking Lot (Sponsored by La Crescent Auto Repair)

1:00pm-3:00pm BINGO in King Apple Tent hosted by La Crescent Youth Hockey Association

Kids Activities at Festgrounds, Near King Apple Tent Sponsored by Merchant's Bank

1:00pm-7:00pm Big Time Pony Rides ($5/rider) 2:30pm-3:00pm Kids' Songs by Emma Blank

3:00pm-6:00pm Tappy's Face Painting

3:00pm-6:00pm Balloons by Kevin

4:00pm-4:30pm Kids' Songs by Emma Blank

4:00pm-5:30pm Magic of Isaiah (walk around magic)

4:00pm-6:00pm President's Reception at SwingBridge Pub (Sponsored by Russ Davis, Wholesale Foods) Pre-purchased ticket required ($60)

5:00pm USA Cycling Gravel National

7:00pm Championships Awards at King Apple Tent Miss La Crescent Coronation at La Crescent High School Fine Arts Center (Sponsored by Johnson Livings) Doors: 6:30pm, $10

7:00pm-12:00am Applefest Photo Booth at King Apple Tent

8:00pm-12:00am BT Band at King Apple Tent (Sponsored by Castle Realty)