Apple Festivals abound on Long Island in October

The sound of crunching apples will be heard all throughout Long Island in October as apple festivals are taking place every weekend in Nassau and Suffolk. No need to travel upstate to go apple picking as fresh bushels of McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Gala, Red Delicious and more are on the way.

Here’s a guide of where to go and what each event is offering.

Oct. 5: HUNTINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S APPLE FESTIVAL

434 Park Ave., Huntington

Enjoy the quaint atmosphere when the Huntington Historical Society presents free tours of the Dr. Daniel W. Kissam House, built in 1795, which includes an antique shop, herb garden, open lawn and sheep shed.

"We want this to be a chance for people to be part of the history and heritage of Huntington," Kaitlin Mayo, education and festival coordinator, says. "This a free, family-friendly event focusing on bringing neighbors together."

Demonstrations take place from the Huntington Volunteer Militia as well as local artisans doing textile crafting such as quilters, rug hookers and woodworkers.

The festival also features the flavors of fall such as homemade apple pie, apple bread plus fresh apples from Richters Orchard of Northport and seasonal baked goods for sale.

Pumpkin decorating, storytelling sessions, crafts and games are set to be available for children. Additionally, there’s a small vendor’s market and live folk music from the Limerick Lasses.

Hungry? Get a snack at an array of food trucks offering ice cream, hot dogs and coffee.

WHEN Noon to 4 p.m.

COST Free but donations are being accepted
INFO 631-427-7045, huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org

Oct. 11-12: MILL NECK MANOR SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF’S APPLE FESTIVAL

40 Frost Mill Rd., Mill Neck

Now in its 69th year, Mill Neck Manor’s Apple Festival, which is held on the grounds of a former North Shore estate, offers everything apple.

"We have apple butter, apple pie, apple fritters, apple strudel, apple cider, apple doughnuts and, of course, fresh apples," Kelly Barbu, Director of Events and festival co-chair, says. "People can buy Snapdragon, Red Delicious, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Crispin and Gala apples by a half bushel ($30), one peck ($18) or a five-pound bag ($11)."

Other foods available include hamburgers, hot dogs, bratwurst, chicken fingers, veggie burgers, French fries, popcorn, cotton candy, giant pretzels, churros and roasted corn-on-the-cob.

Live music occurs from 2 to 4 p.m. from the How on Oct. 11 and the Mad Hatter on Oct. 12. Performances from deaf magician Steve Weiner at 11 a.m. and the Deaf Music Ensemble at 11:45 a.m. take place on both days.

Don’t miss the apple pie-eating contest at 1 p.m. (10 a.m. for kids) on both days where contestants must finish a pie in two minutes without using their hands.

Kids can spend time on inflatable rides, getting their faces painted, making sand art and picking out a pumpkin in the pumpkin patch

Over 40 vendors will be selling crafts, jewelry, home goods, clothing, woodwork and fresh produce.

• WHEN 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
• COST Suggested $20 donation per car
• MORE INFO 516-922-4100, millneck.org

Oct. 18: THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF THE MASSAPEQUAS’ APPLE FESTIVAL

4755 Merrick Rd., Massapequa

The Apple Festival serves a dual purpose as a family-friendly fall event as well as an annual fundraiser for the Historical Society of the Massapequas.

"There are going to be videos of various places around Massapequa and people can ask questions about the history of Massapequa," historical society president Charles Mackie says.

Free tours of the Historic Complex are provided, which consists of the Old Grace Church (1844), the Delancey Floyd-Jones Free Library (1896) and the Elbert Floyd-Jones Servants Cottage (1870).

Shop for five varieties of fresh apples including Honeycrisp, McIntosh and Granny Smith, which are sold by the bag. Additionally, produce from Anderson Farms of Riverhead, such as corn, eggplant, broccoli, cauliflower, winter squash and cabbage, is set to be for sale.

The Historical Society is selling hot dogs, chips and drinks plus slices of pie and coffee for dessert. Whole pies to take home can be purchased in multiple flavors (apple, pumpkin, blueberry, cherry).

Event activities include a craft table, lawn games, art projects and coloring opportunities for kids.

Two sets of live folk music from The Banjo Rascals occur from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Up to 18 craft vendors will be selling all handmade items and don’t forget to pick up a ticket for the basket raffles.

• WHEN 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• COST Free but donations are being accepted
• MORE INFO 516-799-2023, massapequahistoricalsociety.org

Oct. 25: TOWN OF ISLIP’S APPLE FESTIVAL

Islip Grange, 10 Broadway Ave., Sayville

At the 45th annual Apple Festival, the Sayville Fire Department holds its annual fundraiser selling fresh apples by the bag.

"In the center of the festival in the gazebo, we have our Apple Alley where there will be a variety of freshly picked apples as well as candy apples, apple cider, apple fritters and apple pies," Tom Owens, Town of Islip Parks Commissioner, says.

More than 20 food trucks will be offering barbecue, Italian specialties, gyros, fresh roasted corn-on-the-cob, empanadas and homemade baked goods.

Live music is presented on two stages with country band Southbound as the headliner.

Kids activities include a half dozen carnival rides, games, pony rides, crafts and a petting zoo.

The annual scarecrow contest returns for people of all ages. Contestants can construct their own scarecrows and a panel of judges awards ribbons to the winners.

A free surprise gift gets distributed to the first 2,000 attendees who ride the shuttle bus from the Sayville train station where free parking is available.

• WHEN 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.(rain date: Oct. 26)
• COST Free
• MORE INFO 631-224-5430, islipny.gov