The 48th Annual Nappanee Apple Festival began tonight!

Over the years, this event has grown into one of the largest and most popular festivals in Indiana, attracting visitors from near and far.

Fall is approaching and Northern Indiana is preparing for one last summer fun with the 48th Annual Nappanee Apple Fest, which attracts over 80,000 visitors each year.

“We work all year to provide entertainment for the exhibitors, the foodies and the people,” says Donna Peraing, director of the Nappanee Apple Festival.

One of the biggest attractions of the festival is the giant apple pie, which is over 2.10 meters tall, weighs over 270 kilograms and is enough for over 1,000 people.

“The famous 7-foot apple pie is baking in the oven right now. It stays in the oven for 17 hours and comes out at 7:30 on Friday morning. It’s just delightful to see people’s faces saying, ‘Wow, how did you do that?'” Peraing said.

There are events for everyone throughout the four-day festival.

On Friday, experience Indiana’s largest baked apple pie at Don Carlos Bar & Grill, the live animal show from Silly Safaris and the Donut Dash 5K.

Then there’s a pancake breakfast, cornhole tournament, big apple grill-off, Young Eagles airplane rides, airplane flyover and a vintage car parade…all on Saturday.

Sunday ends with a community service, performances by the Gray Horse Band and the Heartland Country Cloggers, and the apple dumpling competition awards ceremony.

And of course we must not forget the food.

“We have apple fritters, apple bread, apple cookies, we have apple cider, cold or hot, so pretty much anything with apples,” said Peraing.

Some first-time visitors say that’s exactly why they came! A sweet treat.

“I’m looking for a crispy apple pie, you know, and then some vanilla ice cream, and then I’m done,” said Jerry Thomas, who is here for the first time.

Free parking and shuttle services are available. Sweet apples and fall fun – only here through this Sunday! Grab a bite of fall before it’s over!