Your Guide: 26th Annual Johnston Apple Festival [2013]

Just in time for the autumnal equinox — the official start of fall — Johnston Memorial Park will be set up for this year's Johnston Apple Festival, set for Sept. 21 and 22.

The annual celebration is marking its 26th year in 2013, and includes longtime favorites as well as new features and activities for young and old alike.

Festivities kick off Saturday morning at 11 a.m. with the opening parade, led by the Johnston High School marching band and including local dignitaries.

From there, the game and food booths will be up and running, and the day's entertainment will take to the park stage [near the memorial wall behind the former pool], beginning with a bubble party at 11:30 a.m.

Steve Burke brings his one-man jazz show to the stage at noon, followed by the annual apple pie baking contest featuring TV Chef Frank Terranova from Johnson & Wales at 1.

Then, at 2, local troupe J-DAPA [Johnston Drama and Performing Arts] perform a holiday cabaret and medleys, followed at 2:30 by vocal talent Janine D'Angelo and 3:30 by "The Deaf Comedian" Mike Murray and Friends with a family-friendly comedy show.

And don't forget to set the kids loose on the Touch-A-Truck exhibit, which last year included rescue and construction vehicles. The trucks will be open for exploring from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This year's Apple Festival also features an "After Hours" get-together 'round the campfire from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and a "Senior Singles Mingle" for folks 60 and over at the Parrillo Building from 4 to 6 p.m.

As if that weren't enough, there's a second day of fun scheduled for Sunday, starting with the high-energy hip-hop performers from Denise's School of Dance at 11 a.m. WRIK Entertainment opens the mic for all with karaoke at 11:30 a.m., followed by Steve Falk and his country line dancers at 12:30; the Academy Players at 1:30; the ever-popular 88th U.S. Army Band Trio at 2:30; and Los Travadores at 4:30 p.m.

There will also be a celebration of friendly [and tasty] competition at 3:30 p.m., with the Apple Pie Eating contest.

Elsewhere in the park on Sunday will also be a blood drive and a classic car show, both starting at 10 a.m. 

Admission to the Apple Festival is free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Food and craft vendors will also be on hand.

For more information, check out the Apple Festival calendar listing on Johnston Patch, which includes a downloadable PDF of the weekend schedule.