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UBC Apple Festival
October 17 and 18, 2009
11 am to 4 pm
Located throughout the grounds of the Botanical Garden
Admission fee – $2 for adults. Under 18 free.
Apple Festival Latest News
Last updated: 27 Sep 2008 at 5:18pm
Apple Festival (2008)
Updated on October 15 with information about additional tours: UBC Botanical Garden's 18th Annual Apple Festival takes place this year on October 18th and 19th from 11 AM to 4 PM. Fun for the whole family!
Apple Festival by Transit (2008)
Travelling to the Apple Festival by transit? Take Translink's C20 shuttle route from the diesel bus loop after arriving at the UBC campus.
Apple Festival Parking (2008)
Planning on driving to UBC for the Apple Festival? Parking is available in the West Parkade. A complimentary trolley service will be available to shuttle you between the garden and the parkade.
About the Apple Festival
A family event for all ages, the UBC Apple Festival celebrates one of British Columbia's favourite fruits. All are welcome to attend, from children learning about the diversity of apples to those who remember tasting heritage apples in their youth.
Every year, between 11,500 and 13,500 kilograms (25,000 and 30,000 lbs) of apples are sold to a hungry public. Over 60 varieties of heritage, new and "tried and true" varieties are available, grown both conventionally and organically. These include the heritage apple 'Grimes Golden' and 'Ambrosia', recently discovered in Cawston, British Columbia.
Also available for sale are many varieties of apple trees grafted onto dwarfing root stock, perfect for the home garden or patio.
One of the most popular activities at the Apple Festival is apple tasting. For $3.00, curious eventgoers can taste up to 60 varieties of new and heritage apples grown in British Columbia. Learn the history of those varieties from the Friends of the Garden's "published in-house" Apple Booklet.
The Vancouver Island-based BC Fruit Testers Association mounts a display of the nearly 200 apple varieties still grown in British Columbia. Members of the association are on-hand to give demonstrations of grafting and cider-pressing. Try to stump them with apple varieties from your garden, as they are also available to identify apples (hint: bring along six apples from your unidentified tree). Nearby, Master Gardeners discuss apple-related diseases and pest management. Or, at any time of the year, you can visit UBC Botanical Garden's online Fruit Trees discussion forum!
A new children's area is in place for 2008: the Johnny Appleseed Orchard, featuring six activity stations. Kids (and adults!) also enjoy the apple pie, hot apple cider and other delectable treats available.
The Food Fair showcases tasty treats, while the Shop in the Garden features apple-related merchandise. Craft vendors, UBC Herbarium merchandise and UBC Farm produce are also available on-site.
Buskers provide musical entertainment throughout the day.
Finish off the day by taking home a purchase of jugs of British Columbian organic apple juice.
For more information, call 604.822.4529. Please be advised that dogs are not permitted in UBC Botanical Garden!
Want to learn more about apples?
Talk about apples and apple trees on UBC Botanical Garden's discussion forum dedicated to fruit trees.
All funds generated from the festival support research and educational activities at UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research
