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Apple Days guide: Sink your teeth into these details about Bethlehem’s annual ode to fall
September 9th, 2022 | In The News
Written by Jennifer Sheehan for The Morning Call
It’s a tasty fall tradition right down to its core.
Apple Days & Market to Go — a two-day celebration of everything apple — returns to Bethlehem’s historic Burnside Plantation with family fun, culinary contests and plenty of foods to enjoy.
Here’s what you need to know:
The basics
The ninth year of Apple Days will feature twodays of events as well as a market-to-go, where you can purchase (in advance) a variety of tasty apple dishes and pick them up at a special drive-thru.
When: In-person event, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 17 and Sept. 18; Market to Go, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 19.
Where: Burnside Plantation at 1461 Schoenersville Road in Bethlehem
How much: $10 for adults ages 18 and over; $5 for children 17 and under. Some features require extra fees. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or dayof at the festival grounds.
Parking: New this year, free parking is available at Nitschman Middle School, 1002 W. Union Blvd., with shuttles to Burnside.
The Market-to-Go
Order early from the popular Market-to-Go. Here’s what’s on the menu for pre-order this year:
Tomblers apple pie: $15; crumb apple tart, $5
Back Door Bake Shop, molasses cookies (9 count), $6; apple cider donut holes, 1 dozen, $10
The Bakery Nook, apple dumpling, $5; apple turnovers, $10; caramel apple coffee cake, $15; apple strudel, $15
Bechdolt’s Orchard, half gallon of apple cider, $5
Keystone Farms Cheese, cinnamon apple cheddar cheese, $10
The Bethlehem Dairy Store, caramel apple ice cream, 1/2 gallon, $10
Apple Bonanza!, which includes a pie, a strudel, a caramel apple coffee cake, and a dumpling, $45
Note: If you would like to pick up your order during the days of the festival, you must purchase admission.
In-person deliciousness
Apple Days is a food event, so you’ll find delicious apple-centric foods and drinks around every corner. Here’s a taste of what you’ll find:
Dessert Tent: Take your pick from apple cider donuts, crumb-top apple pies, apple dumplings, fritters, strudels, and apple cider from local favorites such as Tomblers Bakery, Bakery Nook, Backdoor Bakeshop, and Bechdolt’s Orchard; as well as caramel apple ice cream from Bethlehem Dairy Store. Take-home desserts will be available as well. If you want to balance out all that sweetness, you can stop at one of the food trucks that will be on hand, including Big Poppa’s Backyard BBQ, Taco Town, and Heaven on a Bun.
Apple Brewery Tasting Tent: This ticketed tent gives you the chance to sample hard ciders, wines, and liquors by Cave Brewing Company, Xplorer Spirits, Cellar Beast Winehouse, and a variety of Vermont ciders including Magnus and Woodchuck. How much: Tickets can be purchased in advance for $25 and include five tastings and admission to the festival when pre-ordered.
Fun with food
From eating contests to culinary competitions, Apple Days has many delicious events planned.
Donut-eating contests: Here’s your chance to earn some bragging rights. Contests will be held for kids and adults, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Spots are limited, so sign up online or at the info booth early.
Culinary contests: Who has the best apple dessert in the Lehigh Valley? Find out at the annual Apple Days culinary contests. The Adult Culinary Contest will be held at 1 p.m. Sept. 17 and the Kids Under-16 Culinary Contest will be held at 1 p.m. Sept. 18. The contests are judged by the Young Chef’s Academy of Allentown and prizes from King Arthur Baking. If you want to compete, register online by Sept. 15. Registration is free and does not include festival admission.
More activities
Apple Days has something for everyone, especially families. Here are a few of the events planned:
Step into history: Play Colonial games and dress up for fun . Take a step back in time for guided house and barn tours, then visit Burnside’s Colonial garden. Experience how the horse-power wheel works and take your turn on the Colonial apple press.
Historic demonstrations including Colonial blacksmithing and Colonial brewing
Shop: Stop by the Barn Store for specialty items like apple butter, apple cider, apple vinegar and other delicious fall goods. Browse and shop items from hand-picked local crafters, artisans, and gourmet food vendors.
Have some family fun: Take a pony ride for $5. Then let the little ones navigate the kid-sized haybale maze. Get together to make your own scarecrow for $10 or paint a pumpkin for $5. Visit the petting zoo with feed available for $2.
Visit with some animal friends: Come see the Tri-County Pot Belly Pig Club this year and check out the popular dog skills and drills demonstrations from Neverland K-9.
Enjoy live music, and performances: Head over to the Community and Brewery stages to see local performers Smooth Retina Glow, Mitchell Hendricks, Hannah Lefurgy (performing both days), and many more.
Watch art in action: You can also watch the plein-air painters from the Lehigh Art Alliance as they paint the beauty of Burnside Plantation throughout the weekend.
Tickets and info
historicbethlehem.org/events/apple-days
