From the first Apple Festival held on a gravel parking lot at a newly-built shopping center in 1975, The Casey County Apple Festival has become one of Kentucky's best street festivals. 2007 marked the 33rd anniversary of the Apple Festival.
The first apple festival was held on a Saturday afternoon in the parking lot, and the following year was moved to the high school campus. As visitors flocked to the festival, traffic jams, and a lack of space once again became increasing problems. It was apparent a more suitable place would have to be found if the festival was to continue.
In 1979 the Casey County Apple Festival was moved to the streets of downtown Liberty, were it remains today.
With plenty of entertainment, a full-size carnival, music, numerous pageants, 200 plus vendors, and a 10-ft. giant apple pie as the centerpiece, 30,000 to 40,000 visitors now attend the annual event the last weekend of September.
The 10-ft. giant apple pie is the anchor of the festival. Preparations start on Thursday when volunteers start peeling the apples. After filling the specially-built 10-ft. stainless steel pan with all the ingredients on Friday afternoon, the pie goes in a custom-made oven to bake for 12 hours. On Saturday morning the oven is turned off and the pie continues to bake until it's promptly removed at noon on Saturday.
It's enough apple pie to feed thousands and it's served with a helping of Mayfield ice cream. And best of all, it's free!
In addition, IGA of Liberty teams up with Duncan Hines to bake a 10-ft. giant chocolate chip cookie on Wednesday night, and Pizza Hut of Liberty bakes a 10-ft. giant pizza on Thursday night. Both are served free to the public.
Lots of other good food abounds at the Apple Festival. Food booths are located around the courthouse square and down Middleburg Street. Enjoy everything from funnel cakes to pork burgers to Greek dishes. And if arts and crafts are your hobby, Hustonville Street is devoted to just those vendors, while Middleburg, Beldon, and Randolph Streets are set aside for commercial and flea market booths.
There's also plenty for the kids to do. A full-size carnival is a main attraction each year, along with a Pedal Tractor Pull, Big Wheel Race, Frog Jumping, Apple Eating, and Ice Cream Eating contests, just to name a few.
Getting the apple pie ready for the oven
A Little Big Apple Pie History
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