Everything you need to know

DOVER – The 40th annual Apple Harvest Day will take place on Saturday, October 5th. Started as a small craft fair on the downtown sidewalk, it has grown into the city's largest fair, attracting about 60,000 people each year, according to organizers.

It is free to attend and is hosted by the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce. The festival features 300 vendors including artisans, food vendors, businesses and nonprofit organizations.

“This is a tremendous economic benefit for the city,” said Margaret Joyce, president of the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce.

Central Avenue, in the heart of downtown, will be closed to vehicles at 8 a.m. to make way for vendors and allow for pedestrian traffic. The event begins at 9 a.m. with the “First Bite” ceremony, where local city officials and key vendors nibble on a fresh apple while the Dover High School marching band performs.

About 100 volunteers make the festival possible each year, Joyce said, including many athletes from the University of New Hampshire sports teams as well as members of UNH's ROTC program, as well as friends and family.

Here's what you need to know before attending this year's festival:

Marine band performs

3 p.m, Rotary Arts Pavilion stage

New to the annual Apple Harvest Day will be a performance by the U.S. Navy's Northeast Jack Tar Brass Band. The band will play well-known pop songs with jazz elements.

Joyce said the performance was a special way to honor and commemorate Veterans Day about a month before the holiday.

Sustainability fair

10am-2pm, Dover Town Hall

Also new to the festival is the Dover Saves Sustainability Expo, hosted by the Dover Energy Commission. Participants can find answers to environmental and energy questions and receive up to 80% off energy efficiency improvements.

Family relaxation area and relaxation room

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Cocheco Mill Courtyard

The Family Relaxation Area and Quiet Room, sponsored by Dover Rotary Club, is a place where everyone can rest and take a minute in a quiet, calming place. The space is operated by Twenty-One Senses and staffed by the Dover Area Women's Club. It will have a nursing station, a changing room and a relaxation room. Bathrooms are located 150 feet from the family relaxation area.

“If a child or person of any age is feeling overstimulated or needs a minute to breathe, they can enter the quiet room,” Joyce said.

The quiet room offers hands-on sensory activities including Play-Doh, headphones, fidget spinners, coloring books and alternative seating.

The relaxation room and family relaxation area is intended as a space for people who would not be able to take part in the festival without the space being provided.

Apple Pie Baking Contest

11 a.m.-noon on the Rotary Arts Pavilion Stage in Upper Henry Law Park

Home bakers can submit their apple pies to be tasted and judged by familiar faces, such as Mayor Carrier, who judged last year's competition, and Jonathan Nichols, executive director of the Woodman Museum. The competition is presented by radio station WOKQ-FM 97.5.

Hobby cake bakers can register in two divisions: Adults: 16 years and older and Youth: 15 years or younger

The adult prize is two tickets to see Blake Shelton on March 7 at TD Garden in Boston.

The child prize consists of a $50 gift card to Hilltop Fun Center and a $25 gift card to Crumbl Cookie.

Participants can register in advance via WOKQ.

All cakes must be presented on the Rotary Arts Pavilion stage by 11 a.m. to be judged.

Wildlife encounters, Thomas the Train and bouncy castles: activities for children

From 9 p.m. to 4 p.m., lower Henry Law Park will be designated as a children's area

Roaming train: A miniature “Thomas the Tank Engine” train provides rides through lower Henry Law Park for children and their guardians. Led by Conductor Dan from the Roaming Railroad, this proves to be an exciting attraction for children!

Bouncy castles galore: Children can climb and bounce in the inflatable bounce houses in the children's area, provided by Blast Party Rental Inflatables. A full day pass for the bounce houses and interactive games for teens is $10. A single ride or hop pass costs $4 for all ages. All profits go to Dover Children's Home.

Wildlife Encounters: The Wildlife Encounters Ecology Center & Farm School features its furry pets and farm animals from upper Henry Law Park.

Touch a Truck: Organized by Waypoint, children of all ages can experience construction equipment, fire engines and other vehicles up close.

Fire protection training trailer: Dover Fire and Community Services will be showcasing fire protection and construction vehicles for children.

Lacrosse Fair: Hosted by the Cocheco Lacrosse Club at lower Henry Law Park.

Music and entertainment

Performances take place on two stages throughout the day.

Cocheco Courtyard Acoustic Stage, 431 Central Ave.

9-9:45 a.m. Sebastian Franks

10-10:45 a.m. Guy Capecelatro

11-11:45 a.m. Holly Furlone

12-12:45 Bob Moore Trio

1-1:45 p.m. Jonathan Booth

2-2:45 p.m. Joe Kenneally

3-3:45 p.m. Carol Caronis

Rotary Arts Pavilion Stage, Henry Law Park

9 a.m. Dover High School Band

9:30 a.m. Belletete ballet

10 a.m. Mcdonough/ Grimes

10:30 a.m. Musical Arts of Dover

11am WOKQ

11:30 a.m. WOKQ

12pm UNH Wildtones

12:30 Seacoast Men of Harmony

1 p.m. Garrison Players Youth Troupe

1:30 p.m. Curtain Call Performing Arts

2 p.m. Sole City Dance

2:30 p.m. Navy Band setup/sound check

3:00 p.m. US Navy Jack Tar Brass Band

3:30 p.m. US Navy Jack Tar Brass Band

Two food courts

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at lower Henry Law Park and Third Street

Bamee
Bubble Bee milk tea
Christopher's Third Street Grille
Ordinary man on the side of the road
Asian noodle bar in Hong Kong
Khaophums
Kona Ice in York County
Small Chinese Malaysian food from Ipoh
Mezzanine Catering, LLC
Shaved Ice LLC
Slush King
Sonny Boy ice cream
stem
Stella's Cafe on Pointe Place
T&D Concessions
Wild Mystic Beverages LLC
Wing Itz

Apple Harvest Day 5K Road Race

The 16th annual Apple Harvest Day 5K begins at 8:30 a.m. on St. Thomas Street and winds through historic downtown Dover. The USATF-certified course is open to runners of all levels, from experienced runners to beginners and families.

Runners can register in advance at dovernh.org/events/details/2024-apple-harvest-day-5k-40272. Admission is $30 for anyone over 21 and $20 for anyone under 21. There is no obligation to register for children in strollers.

Race numbers can be picked up at the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce (550 Central Ave.) either on Friday, October 4th from 3-6 p.m. or at the starting line starting at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 5th of St. Thomas Street.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top male and female finishers as well as the first male and female Dover finishers. Gift certificates to Lickee's and Chewy's Candies and Creamery will be awarded to winners ages 14 and under.

For runners 21 and older, hard cider will be provided by North Country Hard Cider Company at 12:30 p.m. Two free drinks are available for runners 21 and older, and non-alcoholic cider is available for participants under 21.

Shuttle information

The shuttle service starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. and is free of charge. Shuttle drop-off and pick-up locations for both shuttles are located at 6 Washington St. in front of the Children's Museum of New Hampshire. There is no fixed timetable for the shuttles as they run in an endless loop. Shuttle service is provided by UNH Wildcat Transit.

North End Shuttle Lot:

Liberty Mutual Parking Lot, 150 Liberty Way at Indian Brook Drive.

South End Shuttle 1:

275 Locust St., Dover.

South End Shuttle 2:

118 Central Ave, Dover.

More: Details of Dover road closures, parking for Apple Picking Day 2024 and the 5K road race

Sponsors of the festival

Joyce said the festival, funded by First Seacoast Bank, wouldn't be possible without dozens of sponsors.

Everything you need to know

ByVanessa

Marine band performs

Sustainability fair

Family relaxation area and relaxation room

Apple Pie Baking Contest

Wildlife encounters, Thomas the Train and bouncy castles: activities for children

Music and entertainment

Cocheco Courtyard Acoustic Stage, 431 Central Ave.

9-9:45 a.m. Sebastian Franks

Rotary Arts Pavilion Stage, Henry Law Park

Two food courts

Apple Harvest Day 5K Road Race

Shuttle information

South End Shuttle 1:

South End Shuttle 2:

Sponsors of the festival

By Vanessa

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