Cornelia put out the welcome mat Saturday for autumn and thousands of visitors who attended the Big Red Apple Festival. The celebration filled the city’s entertainment district, offering plenty for people of all ages to enjoy.
Vendors selling everything from t-shirts to tattoos lined the streets around the Big Red Apple monument that honors Cornelia’s apple-producing heritage. While poultry has overtaken apples as the main agricultural crop, Cornelia still celebrates the days when apples were king.
Judging from the size of the crowd, people were eager to help celebrate.
“It’s awesome,” said Jessie Covarrubias, co-owner of Raspas El Tigre in Cornelia.
One of the many vendors at this year’s festival, Covarrubias, said the crowds were so good they “sold out too soon.” Still, she said, it was fun “seeing everybody and getting together.”
Her son Aaron’s favorite part was walking his mechanical toy dog on a leash.
A family affair
Leisis Caruso traveled from Cumming with her family to attend the Big Red Apple Festival. She gave it a thumbs-up and said it was “very good!”
Young Jesus Hernandez, who traveled with Caruso, cooled off with a cup of Kona Ice in the midday heat. It was a picture-perfect day for a festival, although a little hot, but that was good for business at the lemonade stand.
“We got set up, and then we started rolling,” said Amelia Kennedy, who manned the popular drink tent with her mom Amelia, and sister, Adalyn.
The Kennedys are from White County. This was their second year at the festival.
“We were here last year and we did really well, so we came back this year,” said Amelia. “We’ve had lines backed up about 30 people, so it’s been really good.”
“We’ll wear out as soon as we get home and get cleaned up,” said Amanda.
For this White County mother, the day was about more than making money.
“I think it’s great family time and I think it’s good that the girls interact with different people, and it’s not just texting,” Amanda said, “they have to communicate.”
Bigger than expected
The Kennedys said they plan to return to the festival next year. So does Dean Davis. The Cornelia businessman brought carnival games to the festival’s kid’s zone, which was set up on Larkin Street, on the hill overlooking the Historic Cornelia Train Depot.
The games, with their harder-than-they-look challenge and stuffed animal prizes, gave the kid’s zone a midway-like feel. Two-and-a-half-year-old Greyson Umberhant of Habersham County was thrilled about winning a consolation prize at the softball throw.
“There was a lot of nice people here. No problems. Everything went great,” said Davis, adding that the festival was “a lot bigger than I thought it would be.”
“It was a nice day to day overall. I mean, we didn’t make no millions, but hey, beats a blank,” said Brian, who hails from Los Angeles and travels the country with his wife and son, working carnival games.
Brian’s wife, Tynisha, watched over the games and the couple’s young son. “It was hot, but other than that, it was really good,” she said. “I liked how it turned out. I was surprised, actually.”
As the day drew to a close, kids squeezed the last few dollars from their parents for one last turn at the games and inflatables.
Even as the day’s events began to wind down, the crowd’s lively chatter filled downtown Cornelia with enthusiasm and energy. From live entertainment and a car show to the vendors, rides, and games, the Big Red Apple Festival proved to be the perfect way to welcome fall to the mountains of Northeast Georgia.
