Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
I hadn’t heard of this place. Sounds way cool. Press release:
Visitors and the community are invited to the Third Annual Hickory Nut Forest Eco-Community AppleFest on September 25, from 1-5 at on Rt. 74-A in Gerton/Bat Cave, NC. It is free and family-friendly event.
According to local apple authorities, the height of the apple season usually runs from late August to late September, and with North Carolina being the 7th largest apple-producing state in the nation, Apple Fest is a time-honored tradition. According to celebrated author Creighton Lee Calhoun, “in every region of the South apples have been grown and esteemed for centuries.”
Hickory Nut Forest Eco-Community near Asheville “found” their 10-acre orchard under “jungle of overgrowth” several years ago. With the help of friends and volunteers they cleared the land and discovered 115 trees of 10 different varieties including: Golden and Red Delicious, Stamen and Turley Winesap, Lodi, and White Russian.
This year’s AppleFest includes music, cider making, kid’s events and sampling of various apple goodies by Jack’s Catering of Asheville. People are encouraged to bring their own containers to take the apples home.
Hickory Nut Forest Eco-Community is currently expanding the orchard into a permaculture food forest with over 40 varieties of perennial fruits and nuts. The community, located on 270 acres, features green-built homes with renewable energy, organic gardens and orchards, and a community center called Laughing Waters for retreats, community gatherings, and education events.
For more information and directions to AppleFest visit www.HickoryNutForest.com or www.LaughingWatersNC.com or call John Myers at (828) 712-4926.
