Orchard owners, artists, musicians, street entertainers, crafters, and festival food vendors will line Bayfield’s historic streets for the 47th Apple Festival October 2,3 & 4. Bayfield welcomes over 60,000 visitors who come to enjoy the bounty of the fall harvest and the natural beauty of the area in this harbor town which is the gateway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

This year’s festivities are filled to the brim with something for everyone. Stroll along Orchard Lane and throughout the festival grounds, and you’ll find apples in abundance. Caramel apples, apple pies, apple tortes, dumplings or tarts, apple sundaes, apple cider, bags and bushels of apples, or apple bratwurst - it’s all in Bayfield.

Be sure to stop at the main stage on Rittenhouse Avenue where the gang from Big Top Chautauqua will be showcasing songs from their original historical musicals throughout the weekend.

Also, children of all ages will be thrilled with a carnival complete with games and rides. Kids can also join Bayfield’s Apple Dumpling Gang or learn all about the Apostle Islands and Ojibwe traditions with different childrens activities put on by the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Park Service.

New this year to Apple Festival is performances of “The Complete Works of Williamm Shakespeare (Abridged)” performed by a local trio of actors who will attempt to perform all of Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets in an hour. This crazy and zany comedy is bound to have to laughing through the entire performace. There will be two performances on Friday evening, October 2 at the Bayfield Lakeside Pavilion.

Sunday’s Grand Parade features the 500 member Mass Band marching to the tune of “On Wisconsin.”

On Thursday, prior to the “official” start of the Apple Festival, test your culinary skills by entering the Apple Pie and Dessert contest at the Bayfield Lakeside Pavilion. Or simply come and enjoy samples from all the contestants after the judging.

Along with all of the above, you’ll find more than 150 arts and crafts vendors and special activities at many of Bayfield’s orchards. You can cherish your memories with colorful AppleFest merchandise.

Parking is available on the festival grounds as well as at Hauser’s Superior Farm with free shuttle transportation to and from the festival.

Can’t wait until Apple Festival? Not to worry, as Bayfield rolls out its fifth annual Scarecrow Festival & Orchard Tour from September 11 through October 31. Throughout this fall festival, Bayfield celebrates the beauty of fall colors and a bountiful harvest. This event features many fun fall activities with scarecrows and other fall decor placed throughout the city and orchards.

For more information on the Apple Festival including a full schedule of events, visitwww.bayfield.org or call the Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau at (800) 447-4094.