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Annual Happenings Join The Fun

in the area and surrounding states. The Apple Festival was founded after Lincoln residents had the idea to host an annual event to attract visitors to their friendly, beautiful community. The Arkansas Apple Festival is a tribute to Lincoln’s apple industry history, combining down home southern goodness and a glimpse of what life was like in the Apple Capital of Arkansas in years gone by. “I’ve lived in Lincoln since I was in first grade, and I’ve looked forward to the festival every year,” said Rhonda Hulse, one of two directors of the festival. “We’re especially excited for this year’s celebration, after sadly having to cancel last year due to COVID- 19. I expect a lot of people will be making their way to Lincoln that first weekend in October.” Friday traditionally kicks off the three-day celebration that includes more than 80 booths of craft artisans, great food and fun. On Saturday there’s a parade, followed by the iconic apple core throwing contest. There will be music Saturday and Sunday and, of course, plenty of apples, fresh from the harvest. Hulse estimates they will give away more than 100 bushels of free samples, as well as cider samples. Whether you come to sample the free apple slices, fair and food-truck goodies or buy your favorite jelly, you won’t want to Miss Lincoln’s Apple Festival this fall. For more information about the Apple Festival, check out the Facebook page www.facebook.com/ARAppleFestival .

Cane Hill Harvest Festival The Cane Hill Festival held in mid-September each year continues to draw crowds that enjoy a glance back in history. The festival, which began as a means to support and maintain the Cane Hill College building and campus, has grown to

two days of enjoyment for young and old in the West Washington County area. The Cane Hill Harvest Festival, produced by volunteers in the community and those who were one-time students in the Cane Hill public school, draws a picture of life in the 1800s when everything was produced at home by family members. Soap was made by the women of the household from lye, lard and water. Even the lye had to be home produced. Long hours of stirring with a wooden paddle finally produced soap for the family. Apple butter was a delicacy that also required long hours of slow cooking. But probably the most labor intensive was the production of sorghum molasses. All three processes will be on demonstration during the two-day festival. The products will be for sale in the country store in the college building. Also for sale will be post cards and Cane Hill History Booklets. The two-day trip into history is fun for those taking part in the demonstrations but it is also a sobering thought to realize that in the 1800s it was a deadly serious business for a family to produce the necessities of life. Keeping with the spirit of the era, the participants will all wear period dress. The Cane Hill Museum, on the second floor of the college building, will be open both days. It features a good deal of memorabilia including clothing and documents dating from 1828.

Lincoln Apple Festival The history of Lincoln dates all the way back to the 1800s and has undergone several name changes throughout its lifespan, including Starr Hill, Blackjack and Georgetown, before finally settling on Lincoln in 1885. But one thing has remained constant through all the name changes and remains true today: Lincoln is all about apples! Its reputation for apple production has earned it the moniker of Apple Capital of Arkansas. The Arkansas Black Apple and the Collins Red Apple were both developed in the verdant apple orchards of Lincoln. The popular Apple Festival, which debuted in 1975, is still a huge draw every fall for people

• hometown magazine •

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