The time-honored tradition will be recognizing its 38th anniversary this year, with dates set for the first three weekends of next month. From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Oct. 5-6, 12-13 and 19-20, thousands of people from across the Midwest will visit the Orchard grounds to get themselves in the mood for the fall season.

“We take a lot of pride in Apple Fest, as it has been a long-time tradition for The Community Orchard and Fort Dodge,” said Emily Stucky, who purchased the property with her husband, Denny, in 2022. “A lot of time goes into the planning of Apple Fest; it’s a lot of work, so we couldn’t do it without all of our amazing employees.

“We want to carry on the tradition because it means so much to us personally. We grew up with it ourselves and brought our kids when they were younger. We know how much it means to the community to have fun fall activities to do with the family. We love seeing the smiles it puts on everyone’s faces.”

An estimated 10,000 customers annually enjoy the sights and sounds of Apple Fest, according to Stucky. This year, live music has been added to the lineup of festivities from 1 to 3 p.m. each Saturday. Animals from the Hovick Family Farm Petting Zoo will be a new Sunday feature.

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Hadley Myott, then 9, of Humboldt, leads her mother Kylee Myott, of Humboldt, out of the maze at the Community Apple Orchard during the 2023 Apple Fest.

The popular stops — from the pumpkin patch and a plethora of food and drink items flanking the Apple Orchard Cafe to the Back 40 Playground and the Apple Attic — will again serve as the main autumn attractions for families of all ages.

“The favorite memories I have — both from being a kid and as a parent taking our own kids to the Orchard — is always heading to the pumpkin patch and picking out our own pumpkins,” Stucky said. “It was always a fun fall tradition to do with the whole family.

“As owners, we now enjoy watching families do the same.”

The orchard itself has between 5,000 and 6,000 apple trees on 38 acres of land. Sixteen varieties of apples are grown and cultivated on the property.

Apple Fest originated in 1986.

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Toshia Fesenmeyer, of Boone, and her daughter Tinsley Fesenmeyer, then 7, go tubing on the new slide at the Community Apple Orchard during the 2023 Apple Fest.

The Community Orchard, which opened in 1952 under the direction of Paul and Edna Otto and expanded during 40 years of ownership under Greg and Bev Baedke, is located at 2237 160th St. It is open seasonally from June 1 until right before Christmas.

The Market and Apple Attic are open weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekdays from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. The Back 40 play area is open weekends from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., and weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Cafe serves from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. each day.

For more information, visit www.communityorchard.com, the Community Orchard Facebook page, or call (515) 573-8212.