Here’s Why Bismarck’s Applefest Is Like A Warm Apple Pie

A warm apple pie bit is my only apple quip. (too bad, because there's a barrel of them).

I'm wanting to get intimate here with Applefest because I've been attending the gathering for years. Through the radio station, I've been fortunate enough to be invited to attend Applefest for what must getting on a decade (everyone is actually invited).  The fest itself will be turning 16 in 2022.

Applefest is like a harvest fest but it's not about farming or even apples.

It's about hope going into winter.  It's about Mylo Hautzenbueler always capturing the crowd.  It's about old people like me, and young people like you, gathering at an old-timey relocated made-up town by the name of Buckstop Junction.

At its core, Applefest was created to assist cancer patients and their loved ones.

No that wasn't a pun. That is the core of the weekend, raising money for the Bismarck Cancer Center Foundation.  But I'm not imploring you out simply to benefit folks impacted by cancer, I'm inviting you out for Applefest. I promise you'll have a good time and you should buy something at the bake sale on the east end of the Junction.

There's entertainment throughout the two days...but it's more than "entertainment".  It's mostly local, sometimes veteran, sometimes parade, sometimes Mylo, sometimes not.

2022 Schedule of Events

Saturday, Sept. 24
11:00 a.m. – Elks Men’s Chorus
12:00 p.m. – Flag Raising/National Anthem – Elks Mens Chorus & AmVets Color Guard
12:10 p.m. – Daily Parade
12:30 p.m. – Prairie Road
2:00 p.m. – Herlof Huso
2:30 p.m. – Bull Honkey
4:00 p.m. – Herlof Huso
4:30 p.m. – The Rule

Sunday, Sept. 25
11:00 a.m. – Mylo Hatzenbuhler
12:00 p.m. – Flag Raising/National Anthem – Lori Wilson & AmVets Color Guard
11:30 p.m. – Roch Creek Revival
1:30 p.m. – Mylo Hatzenbuhler
2:00 p.m. – Church of Cash 

Church of Cash is an excellent Johnny Cash appreciation celebration, but I can also promise you each one of the "main stagers" are a must-see.  Talking about you Elks' Men's Chorus!  Bull Honkey! We'll see you there.

There are apples and food trucks. Apples and vendors. Apples and kids activities.

Honestly, it's not about apples, it's about everybody coming out for some very family-friendly fun in the fall.

The event will be held

Saturday, September 24 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sunday, September 25, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

at Buckstop Junction, 3805 E Bismarck Expy, Bismarck, ND.