As autumn approaches, so does everybody’s favourite apple festival at UBC Botanical Garden. A family festival for all ages, UBC Apple Festival takes place on October 14-15, 11 am – 4 pm. Hosted by the Friends of the Garden, the Festival is a terrific way to discover more about one of BC’s most beloved fruits.
This year—the Apple Festival’s 26th—approximately 34,000 lbs (15,422 kilos) of organic and conventionally grown apples will be available for sale to thousands of eager apple fans. Over 63 heritage, new and traditional apple varieties will be available for sale, as well as over 70 varieties of apple trees grafted onto dwarfing rootstock.
Connoisseurs can have their fill of Cox’s Orange Pippin, Belle de Boskoop or Glockenapfel at the FOG’s Apple Tasting Tent. Inside the tent, they can taste up to 60 varieties of new and heritage BC-grown apples for just $5. For visitors who want to enrich their knowledge of local apples, The Apples of the Apple Festival booklet will be available for sale.
The Children’s Area is the place to find face painting, crafts, games and the ever-popular giant Leaf Pile! A wide array of talented dancers, singers and musicians will keep the crowds entertained, and scarecrows strike a pose in the Taylor Plaza for our Scarecrow Contest. Displays of sustainability, pollination, cider press demonstrations and a Stump the Apple Expert ID challenge at the Best Apple Display in Canada can be found at the Garden’s Reception Centre.
Visitors can take a break and enjoy excellent edibles including apple pie, hot apple cider, pizza and chocolate treats, available at the Food Fair. They can wander the trails and find fall foliage throughout UBC Botanical Garden, then brave the Greenheart TreeWalk, a canopy walkway suspended 20 metres above the forest floor (special event pricing in effect).
Admission is $5 cash for adults; children 12 and under are free. Festival admission includes entry to UBC Botanical Garden. A bike valet will be available at the main entrance, and there will be a free shuttle bus from UBC Campus West Parkade and Fraser River Parkade beginning at 9:30 am. There will be NO parking at the Garden.
This fundraising event, organized by the Friends of the Garden, supports UBC Botanical Garden. UBC Apple Festival aims to be a zero-waste event.
