Apple Festival

October 6

Add some extra-delicious shades of red to a visit for fall leaf season in the North Carolina Mountains. Celebrate the Fuji, Gala, Pink Lady, Honey Crisp, McIntosh – and even more varieties of apples – at High Hampton Inn’s second- annual Apple Festival on October 7, 2012. This free, day-long event, which is open to the public, is a salute to fall’s favorite fruit with a bounty of apple delicacies, live music, and artistic crafts. The fun will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The High Hampton Apple Festival will celebrate the apple with a variety of tasty products provided by Creasman Farms and Beehive Orchards, growers from the Hendersonville, NC area. Each will have a booth to showcase their apples and apple products, and guests will be able to sample the different varieties each grower produces. The festival will feature homemade apple cider, apple ice cream, apple cakes and muffing, and other treats prepared by High Hampton Inn Chef Sean Ruddy, as well as the growers.

While festival-goers are enjoying the blazing reds, oranges and golds of the fall foliage and the apples, they will also be able to peruse colorful artworks. Quilt-maker Ashley Jones will be displaying not only quilts, but tote bags, aprons, table runners, and more items for sale at her booth. Steve Hunter of Aria Woodturnings, a seventh-generation native of Transylvania County, NC, will be featuring hand-carved bowls, candlesticks and boxes made of domestically grown wood. To add to the festival atmosphere, North Carolina bluegrass music will be playing toe-tapping tunes throughout the day.

Visitors who plan to stay for the weekend can also enjoy all of the amazing amenities of the High Hampton Inn. They can take in the fresh mountain air during a hike along more than 15 miles of on-property trails, including Chimney Top Mountain and Rock Mountain; play a round of golf or tennis, or spend a peaceful afternoon fishing or boating on Hampton Lake. For those seeking a day of pampering, the Hampton Health Club & Spa features a variety of total body relaxation and de-stressing treatments.