Versailles Apple Festival celebrates 40 years

<p>File photo</p><p>The Versailles High School Tigerettes bust some moves as they participate in the 2017 Olde Tyme Apple Festival Parade.</p>

File photo

The Versailles High School Tigerettes bust some moves as they participate in the 2017 Olde Tyme Apple Festival Parade.

In celebration of its 40th year, the Versailes Olde Tyme Apple Festival will, for the first time, be held over two days.

The festival itself will be spread over Saturday and Sunday, with some pre-festival activities set for Thursday and Friday, including the yearly Apple Festival Play at the Royal Theatre. Dina Dunklee, executive director of the Versailles Chamber of Commerce, said the play will also run next weekend. On Friday night, there are also events such as the Apple Dumplin' & Darlin' Contest.

After a pancake breakfast, the parade will begin at Morgan County R-II School at 10 a.m. Saturday. The festival will include activities for children and families, as well as about seven or eight bands on multiple stages, contests and vendors. Ending the festivities Saturday will be the Figure 8 Scramble, Powder Puff Scramble, Kids Power Wheels and the Demolition Derby.

On Sunday, there will be a community worship service at 8 a.m. on Jasper Street before vendor booths open in the downtown square. The Olde Tyme Apple Festival Golf Tournament will begin at noon.

Dunklee said the town of less than 3,000 people typically swells to more than 10 times its normal size for the annual festival, which is the biggest event in Versailles.

"It's very well attended," Dunklee said, noting that even with inclement weather, crowds still come out. "It's definitely a big draw."

Dunklee said city and county law enforcement are working together to ensure the festival and surrounding areas stay safe throughout.

Dunklee said they opted to extend the festival to two days to help celebrate the 40th year of the festival. If this weekend goes well, it's possible the festival could stay a two-day event in future years, she said, but no decisions have been made.

"We're just going to have to see how it goes this year," Dunklee said.

For more information or to view a full schedule, visit versaillesapplefestival.com.