Appleseed Fair

'Simple country fun' in store at Appleseed Fair

Phillipston's Red Apple Farm hosting 2nd annual event

PHILLIPSTON — While his story has become a part of folklore, the true Johnny Appleseed, John Chapman — born in Leominster in 1774 — planted apple trees to help settlers heading out west as far as Ohio.

The types of apples he planted still grow at the Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, making it a fitting setting for this weekend’s second annual Appleseed Country Fair.

“It’s really neat to think the same trees go on and on,” said farm owner Al Rose.

The gathering, also sponsored by the Gardner Ale House, Johnny Appleseed Trail of North Central Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, is set to run 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.


Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the farm, which is located at 455 Highland Avenue.

Admission to the event is free.

“It’ll be simple country fun,” Mr. Rose said.

Along with hayrides and apple picking, the weekend gathering will feature vendors, children’s games, a range of food options — including barbecue, Mexican and Southeast Asian cuisine — and live music from the Chair City Cloggers and Boothill Express.

The Red Apple Farm will be conducting its annual “largest zucchini” contest, and there will also be a lawn tractor pull competition.

At 2 p.m. Saturday, three skydivers — including Johnny Appleseed himself — will be parachuting into the heart of the fair.

“The purpose of the fair is to promote our region and the fun things there are to do in North Central Massachusetts,” said Johnny Appleseed Trail Director Diane Bernette. “We love to promote the country experience and the orchards.”

The Red Apple Farm has a special connection to Johnny Appleseed’s story. Mr. Rose said there are two trees at the farm that stand out — one that belonged to Johnny Appleseed, and a Rambo apple tree of the kind popular during the 1800s.

The farm acquired the Johnny Appleseed tree from Babson College in Wellesley, which had one of the original trees. Mr. Rose’s father William “grafted” a branch from the tree onto a tree at the Red Apple Farm.

The weekend’s event will also serve as a chance for the Red Apple Farm to showcase its offerings and inner workings, including its wind turbine and solar array.