COVINGTON, Ind. — The Apple Fest marks its 19th year, celebrating the business of a nearby apple orchard.

The Apple Fest was a creation of the Covington Business Association who has sponsored the annual event from its beginning.

“At one of the early meetings we thought we needed a festival,” said Carol Freese. “We thought we wanted something related to the area.”

The nearby Coffing Brothers Orchard made an apple festival a natural thing.

While they moved the date around in the beginning, it has become a staple on the first Saturday of October.

In the past years the festival has gotten an early start on Friday night with the Highway 341 Band and the selling of apples. Some vendors will be open Friday night too.

More than 100 booths are signed up for Saturday.

“We have a nice assortment,” said Valerie White, co-chairwoman of the festival. “We encourage an apple theme. Lots of the local service projects try to do that.”

Something new this year are corporate sponsors who paid a minimum of $500. They join golden apples who pay $75; silver apples, $50; and bronze apples, $25.

Booths will be open from 9 a.m. EDT to 5 p.m. Saturday.

“We have a lot of returning vendors and lots of new selections,” said Amy Wright, chairwoman of this year’s festival. “We have such a variety. There are lots of apple specialties.”

Entertainment will be on the stage from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wright said several new individuals and groups will be featured this year.

In addition, there will be tours of the courthouse murals at 1 p.m. at the courthouse, while the 1842 Fountain County Clerk’s Building will be open from 1-4 p.m.

A car, truck and motorcycle show seeks entries on Fourth Street north of the square. Entry fee is $5. Warrick Motors will have a tent set up on the Covington Foods lot.

Hayrides will be provided by First Baptist School.

Other activities will be face painting, crafts and an art show.

White and Wright are expecting a large crowd.

“We are growing and growing,” Wright said.



COVINGTON APPLE FEST

-- FRIDAY

6-9 p.m. EDT: Highway 341 Band, stage, and apples available.

-- SATURDAY

7-10 a.m.: Firemen’s Pancake Breakfast, fire station.

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Booths open.

9-11 a.m.: Registration for car, truck and motorcycle show

9-10 a.m.: Registration for Johnny Appleseed and Little Miss Apple of Your Eye Contest

9:30-10 a.m.: Covington High School Band, stage.

10:15-10:45 a.m.: Johnny Appleseed and Little Miss Apple of Your Eye Contest.

10:45-11 a.m.: Dance Xplosion, stage.

11-11:30 a.m.: Brian Clem, stage.

11:45-12:30 p.m.: Wabash Valley Area Band, stage.

12:45-1:45 p.m.: Country Gentlemen, stage.

1 p.m.: Tours of courthouse murals, meet at front entrance of courthouse.

1-4 p.m.: 1842 Fountain County Clerk’s Building Open, 516 Fourth St.

2 p.m.: Car, truck and motorcycle show trophies and prizes.

2-2:30 p.m.: Rick Randles, stage.

2:45-3:45 p.m.: Forgiven with Mary Phillips, Susie Woolwine and Susan Smaltz, stage.

4-5 p.m.: Axxis featuring Phil and Jordan Cotton, stage.