Apple Festival (2008)

The 18th annual Apple Festival is being held on October 18th and 19th from 11AM to 4PM on both Saturday and Sunday. A $2.00 admission fee for adults helps support new garden initiatives -- for those under 18, admission is free.

As in past years, there will be over fifty varieties of apples to taste and purchase, as well as many varieties of apple trees for sale. Come early to ensure that you can buy your favourite apple, as many of the most popular varieties sell out quickly.

The BC Fruit Testers Association will have a display of over one hundred apple varieties in the Reception Centre, along with a cider press display, mason bee display and an apple identification table (hint: bring along 6 apples from your tree if you'd like the variety to be identified). CFIA will have information on apple diseases.

Once again, there will be a Longest Peel contest, with prizes being awarded for those who can peel the longest unbroken apple skin.

A new children's area will be introduced this year -- a "Johnny Appleseed" orchard with six activity stations.

Free UBC Botanical Garden tours will be given, as well as short tours of the Alpine Garden area. If you've not visited the Greenheart Canopy Walkway, a special Apple Fest rate will be available.

Nine food vendors, selling everything from candied apples to pickles, sauces, chutneys and, of course, apple chips will be on-site, as well as the Friends of the Garden sales of apple pies and hot apple cider. Also, UBC Farm will be selling their UBC-grown produce. Three craft vendors will also be present.

Also new this year will be the opportunity for the public to participate in some sensory-tasting research of new apple varieties. This research is being carried out by PARC Summerland and the Okanagan Plant Improvement Corporation (PICO).

Updated on October 15: New this year! Tours of the UBC Farm Heritage Orchard! -- "The UBC Farm Heritage Orchard was designed, grafted and planted as a student Directed Studies project beginning in 2005. A sanctuary for apple culture, the orchard is composed of 138 trees, including 60 varieties of apples and a handful of plums. Come visit this urban agricultural gem for tours with the orchard's founder Sarah Belanger on Saturday October 18: 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm at the UBC Farm! Unfortunately shuttle service to the farm is not available this year, but bicycles, foot and car traffic are welcome!"

For more information and the latest news, please visit the UBC Apple Fest web page. For a quick summary, or a reminder, save the 2008 Apple Festival Poster (PDF) to your desktop.

Have a question about apples? Start a new discussion thread in UBC Botanical Garden's Fruit Trees online forum!

Posted by Daniel Mosquin at 4:18 PM on September 27, 2008