The apple is more than just an icon for Alexander County. Apples can be seen in our county emblem, is celebrated throughout the year, and represent one of the top agricultural commodity for our county. Although the Apple Festival is cancelled for the year, there are still many ways to enjoy the festivities around apples.

Embrace this cool fall weather by taking your family out to visit one of our many orchards. Take a drive up through Hwy 16 North and go apple picking with your family at Perry Lowe orchards. Perry Lowe Orchards is currently scheduling pick your own and offering many varieties to choose from.

If you’re short on time but still want to stock up on these delicious beauty, check out Deal Apple Orchards and Sugar Loaf Apple Orchard. All locations carry a great selection of home goods such as honey, stone ground cornmeal, baking goods, and cider in their shop. If you’re curious to know what other place you can take your family to visit during this season or simply want to know more about the farms in Alexander County, download the Visit NC Farm App and simply search some things of your interest.

While out picking or purchasing apples, make sure to bring some back and enter our Apple Contests. The N.C. Cooperative Extension, Alexander County Center has always partnered with the Apple Festival Committee to host a candied apple decorating contest for youth and an apple dessert contest for adults. With the rising number of COVID-19 cases, the Apple Festival has been canceled but to help carry on traditional, the Extension office will continue on with the contest. “It’s been another hard year and continuing the apple contest is a great way to still carry on the spirit of our local community” expressed Der Holcomb, Family & Consumer Science Agent. “Festivals are a great way to build and grow community unity and directly impact the quality of life for residents. We hope to continue the contest in that it can help revitalize and energize our communities.”

This year’s contest is sponsored by Carolina Farm Credit, Taylorsville True Value, and Tractor Supply. There is no fee to enter the contests but contestants must submit an entry form when dropping off the apple dessert. Forms can be downloaded online or written on the day of drop off.

The apple dessert contest is for 18 years and older. Dessert must contain at least one cup of apple, either fresh, canned, dried, sauce, or butter and can be any type of dessert including but not limited to cakes, cookies, pies, puddings, or cobblers. Contestants are required to submit the dessert with a written recipe of all ingredients. Recipes will be used to the discretion of the Extension office and may be shared with the general public. Winning dessert will be selected for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place based on taste, appearance, originality, and ease of preparation.

All entries should be dropped off to the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Alexander County Center at 151 West Main Ave, Taylorsville, NC 28681 by 5 p.m. on October 14, 2021. Judging will take place on October 15 at noon and contestants can pick up any remaining items, desserts, or candy apples after 1 p.m.

Winners will be announced via facebook, radio, and The Taylorsville Times the following week. Winners do not need to be present to accept the award.

For any additional questions, feel free to call our office at 828-632-3125 or email Der Holcomb at der_xiong@ncsu.edu.