This time of year in Western North Carolina, it’s all about the apples.
The past few years, we’ve heard a lot about the local apple harvest. There was a devastating spring freeze that damaged the crops; there has been support from the federal government to buy up some apples and ship them to Cuba; a new heirloom variety is discovered; etc.
The word on apples thus far this year has been quiet, which usually just means it’s good news — the crop is coming in and looking good. Expect to hear more about the local crop this week, in which we’ll mark the mighty apple with appropriate festivities.
Hendersonville is the hub of most of WNC’s apple activity. Their annual North Carolina Apple Festival is this coming weekend. Haywood County is also getting into the act with its own festival.
Apple orchard self-guided tours here.