PLEASE NOTE: This post is about the 2012/2013 event. While this post should still give you a great idea of the overall experience, it is possible that it may contain some outdated information. Please be sure to check the Glastonbury Apple Harvest Festival website for details about things like dates, hours and pricing.
2013 Post:
Have you noticed that our “wordless” Wednesday posts seem to have more and more words in them lately? I guess that’s because there are just so many fun things to do in Connecticut come fall, that we need to take every chance we can get to tell you all about them!
So today I’m going to give you a little sneak peek at one of my favorite fall events, the Glastonbury Apple Harvest Festival. Now in its 39th year, this mid-October event draws people from all over CT and beyond. It will take place from Friday (evening), October 18th to Sunday, October 20th.
Now, these pictures are from last year’s event and not this one, obviously (what? did you think I had a time machine or something?). But fortunately, many of the same activities will be back again this year, so they should give you a good idea of what to expect.
This year’s festival will include:
- Live music
- 125+ craft vendors
- Numerous food stands
- Amusement park rides & games
- Pie eating/baking contest
- Pony rides
- Beer Garden
- and more!
So enjoy this little virtual tour of the Glastonbury Apple Harvest Festival, and then mark your calendar so you don’t miss all the fun!
THE MOMSENSE:
Glastonbury Apple Harvest Festival
Riverfront Community Center grounds
300 Welles Street, Glastonbury, Connecticut
FREE parking/shuttle at 180/200 Glastonbury Boulevard
Hours & Admission:
UPDATE September 2015: The 2015 Glastonbury Apple Harvest Festival will take place from October 16th to 18th. This post is about the 2012/2013 event. It is possible that it may contain some out-dated information. While this post should still give you a great idea of the overall experience, please be sure to check the Glastonbury Apple Harvest Festival website for details about things like hours and pricing.
Tips & Things to Bring:
- No parking available on the festival grounds (except for handicap parking). FREE parking and shuttle bus service available from a nearby lot at 180 & 200 Glastonbury Boulevard. The shuttle bus is usually a school bus. Click here to see my previous post on the Riverfront Music Festival, which has all the info on the parking situation.
- The shuttle bus runs about every 5 minutes. The ride from the parking lot to the festival grounds is less than 5 minutes.
- If there has been any rain at all, bring your rubber boots! The grounds can get pretty muddy from all that foot traffic.
- The grounds are stroller-friendly, but it might be hard to use a lightweight umbrella stroller on the grassy terrain, especially if it’s at all muddy. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to bring a big stroller onto the shuttle (school) bus–although, we did it one year and managed not to injure ourselves or anyone else in transit, so it is possible and lots of people do it.
- For a small baby, consider bringing a wearable baby carrier instead of a stroller. You might find it more convenient to get around.
- Get your holiday shopping done early! There are more than 100 artists, jewelers, and craftspeople displaying everything from handcrafted jewelry to children’s toys and clothes to soaps, wreaths, glassware, and original works of art.
- There are lots of food options. Some that we saw last year were BBQ sandwiches, chicken pitas, gyros, chicken fingers, pizza, corn dogs, kettle corn, french fries, and apple crisp (of course).
- Bring cash to pay the admission fee (and for many of the food/craft vendors as well).
- Last year there was an ATM stationed just outside the main entrance near the community center parking lot.
- You must buy tickets for the rides in addition to paying the admission fee. There is usually a separate ticket booth located near the rides area. I think they accept credit cards at the ticket booth, but I can’t remember for sure. I know I wrote some notes down last year, but now I can’t find them! I blame mommy brain 🙂
- Adults accompanying their children on the rides must also have a ticket(s).
- Restroom: Porta-potties. Although, last year we also found a well-marked baby changing/nursing area, so look for that again this year.
Meet Our Sponsors!
- The Independent Day School – Located on a rural campus in Middlefield, CT is a private pre-school, elementary and middle school, serving families from over 20 communities.
- Jessica’s Garden – This Marlborough destination is a gardening center and family-friendly eatery rolled into one. A great place to take the kids, relax and enjoy the beautiful grounds, and check out their ice cream and lobster shack.
- Kathryn Deane Photography – Kathryn is a natural light photographer specializing in maternity, newborn, child, family, and senior portrait photography.
- Moms in Training (MIT) – The newest branch of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. MIT is a Fairfield-based, flexible 8-week fitness program for moms who want to get fit, meet other local moms and help cure cancer!
- Stella and Dot Stylist, Tisa Rabun-Marshall can help you get your wardrobe set for fall or begin your Holiday gift shopping with the latest in boutique-style jewelry and accessories.
Are you interested in becoming an Out and About Mom sponsor? Click here for more info.
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