It’s that time once a year, the end of September and that means one thing...AppleFest!

Make plans to head to Marionville this weekend for the 20th annual AppleFest.

This year’s theme is “AppleFest 2008: A Blast from the Past.”

Events

This year’s event kicks off Friday afternoon with performers scheduled from noon to 2 p.m.
The apple pie baking contest sponsored by the Marionville Chamber of Commerce will be held between 8-11 a.m. on Friday, September 26. Participants must have their pies available for judging at the Marionville Fire House and there is a $5 entry fee.

There will be first, second and third place cash prizes. All winning pies will be auctioned off after the winners are announced.

The husband calling contest will be at 2 p.m. followed by the Miss Golden Delicious pageant at 2:15 p.m.

The sexy legs contest will be at 2:45 p.m. Black Suede and 300 Central will wrap up the evening with performances.

On Saturday, the parade will be at 10 p.m. followed by a performance by the Comet Pride Marching Band and Color Guard at 11:30 a.m. Parade awards will be handed out at noon and the Marionville Mighty Mite Cheerleaders will perform at 12:30 p.m.

An apple peeling contest will be held at 2:45 p.m. and the Kustom Kemps Car Show awards will be announced at 3 p.m.

Marionville Idol and Apple Daze in the Park awards will presented at 4 p.m. David Lamond, “The Hawaiian Elvis,” will perform at 5:15 p.m. followed by the Eddie Valen Band at 6 p.m.

Bill Haley’s Original Comets, direct from Branson, will perform at 6:45 p.m. At 7 p.m., the super duper raffle grand prize will be awarded. The prize is a new 250 ATV donated by Destination
Power Sports.

Apple Daze

The third annual Apple Daze in the Park will be held Saturday. Events include the wheelbarrow race, apple bobbing contest, bubble gum blowing contest and around the world basketball shoot-out. Sign-ups for Marionville Idol start at 1 p.m. Junior idol will begin at 1:30 p.m. and
Marionville idol will be at 2:30 p.m.

A horseshoe tournament be held at 11 a.m. with sign-ups at 10 a.m.

Kustom Kemps Car Show

Kustom Kemps of America presents the second annual Hotrod and Kustom Hoe-Down at Marionville City Park on Friday and Saturday, September 26-27.

The park is located half a block off the city square. The entry fee is $10 and is for lead sleds, hotrods and street customs.

Awards

Bob and Sara Herndon are the recipients of the Golden Apple Award. The award is presented each year to those who have been a supporter of AppleFest. The Herndons have been AppleFest members since the beginning.

The Herndons farmed 35 acres of peaches, apples, pears and plums from 1958-2004 in Marionville. They had a fruit stand on Highway 60.

The Herndons are life-long residents of Marionville. Both graduated from Marionville High School and are active supporters of the school and alumni associations.

Bob Morgan is the recipient of the Red Apple Award. This award is presented to someone who

has been a supporter of the community.

Morgan is a member of the Marionville Lions Club and supports the school. He is the manager of Murfin’s Market in Marionville.

The 2008 Grand Marshals are the MHS Class of 1958. The 36 graduates will be featured in many events throughout the weekend, including being highlighted during Friday night’s homecoming football game, at the parade and at the All-School Reunion on Saturday morning.

Skyler Mitchell is the 2008 Marionville AppleFest Scholarship winner. Mitchell’s essay, “How I Can Help My Community Go Green” can be viewed in the 2008 AppleFest book.

Be sure to check out all the booths and vendors on the square both days. Make plans to get out and enjoy your weekend at the 2008 AppleFest!