The Apple 'Festi-bowl'

...or the Johnny Appleseed Festival as it is more commonly known!

This is a festival held in Fort Wayne every September and I hadn't been since I was too small to remember (I know, shame on me since this is a huge thing in my hometown) so we decided to take the kids yesterday-it's only a one weekend deal-and Avery was thrilled beyond the moon! She sweetly referred to it as the "apple festi-bowl" and was so excited:)

A Little History

Johnny Appleseed (i.e. John Chapman) died in Fort Wayne sometime between 1845-1847 and was buried here. There is an iron fence, erected in 1900, around his supposed grave site in Johnny Appleseed Park, where the festival is held. There is some discrepancy where he was buried because he died in a cabin where the Canterbury Green Apartments (for those of you familiar with Ft. Wayne) now stand and there is supposedly a grave marker there for him. However, it has been confirmed that there are Chapman family members buried on the hill where Appleseed's grave site is and other documented information stating it is more likely that he is located where his site is today. The festival is done in the tradition of the 1800s and pioneer days. Vendors must dress in clothing representing the time period and cannot use any modern conveniences to cook food or make any of the crafts. Food and crafts must represent things that could have been found in that time period (though after a visit to the Ye Old Candy Shoppe, I'm guessing they didn't have starbursts or milk duds, but everything else is pretty correct). If you'd like anymore information you can check out www.johnnyappleseedfest.com!

Now on to some pictures...

A picture of the flag and some of the tents.

One very excited girl for her first festival experience!

A mini parade. Avery loved all of the music on the old fashioned instruments.

Of course there is a little playground area in the park this is held and Avery runs to join the boys climbing!

Spencer ran through the crowd on the playground to find the one open swing and stood there waiting for Artie to put him in! To say this kid loves swinging is an understatement!!

Making a candle. Look at the intensity!

Concentrating very hard on getting the candle just right. Note: I'm not sure they had tennis shoes like this in the 1800s...I'm questioning your authenticity, miss candlemaker!

Finished product! Notice anything about this girl? She has turned into a pink fanatic, Aunt Cindy you would be proud! When asked what color she would like anything it is always pink!

Playing an old time version of 'basket' ball (with a little assistance from daddy).

Trying to find her way out of the maze...there was candy at the end, so she found her way!

Getting her feather (pink!) and her face painted.

So cute:)

This is why there are no pictures of Spencer. The kid slept through guns and cannons going off!

Avery ended her first festival experience with a giant pickle on a stick. It was quite a sight to see!

We had a great time at this year's festival and thank my sister and her boyfriend for joining us and making it a fun day!!