Cornelia Main Street Manager Noah Hamil has been busy getting ready for the big day on Saturday. The annual event will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and conclude at 4 p.m. This will make the 36th annual Big Red Apple Festival.
Hamil has spent this week putting the finishing touches on Cornelia’s big event. On Thursday, he was busy numbering vendor spots around the iconic Big Red Apple while Public Works crews ran electricity and water for vendors.
According to Hamil, approximately 2,000 to 3,000 people attended the festival last year. He admits that was less than he had hoped. The weather made it a bit unbearable. “It was really hot last year,” he said. He is hopeful for this year’s turnout. “We would like to see 3,000 to 4,000 people this year.”
Vendors
As for vendors, Hamil said that there are approximately 180 vendors for this year’s event. Approximately ten of them will be food vendors. There will be hamburgers, hotdogs, Mexican food, Cuban food, and more.
“We got a flavor for everybody,” Hamil said.
Numerous craft vendors will be on hand. He said that there will be windchimes, dreamcatchers, home decor, candles, soap, and many other wares available on Saturday.
The event will be family-friendly. Hamil said that there will be a petting zoo. Demorest City Manager Mark Musselwhite and his wife own a farm and will be bringing their animals. There will be a small train for kids to ride on. He has a friend who is a Disney princess impersonator, and she will be coming to the event to impersonate Rapunzel. She will be singing to the children and will be available to take pictures with them.
One feature this year is that all of the downtown businesses will be participating in having an apple-themed item available for Saturday only.
Parking
In preparation for the festival, the city will begin closing downtown streets to through traffic beginning Friday evening, September 20.
Parking for the Big Red Apple Festival will be available on the day of at the Cornelia Post Office, Cornelia City Hall, Cornelia Library, Community House, Georgia United Credit Union, and Historical Society Museum. Public parking will also be available on Wells Street.
Handicap parking will be at the rear of Sugartopia at 188 North Main Street. Limited on-street parking may also be available. Cornelia Main Street Director Noah Hamil warns that vehicles not parked in designated parking spots will be towed at the owner’s expense.
For an event schedule and map, click here.
Street closures
The final touches will begin Friday with street closures. Starting at 5 p.m., Clarkesville Street will close to allow for vendor setup and preparation. Just after midnight Saturday morning, Irvin, Hodges, Larkin, and Front Streets will close, as will Apple Tree Alley and Depot Parking. Any vehicles parked in those areas will be towed.
Streets will reopen at 5 p.m. Saturday or when the vendors are gone and cleanup is complete.
