The Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre in Co Armagh is set to return to a full five-day programme of events for the first time since the pandemic.
Richhill has been celebrating the locally grown Armagh Bramley Apple since 2014 and this year's festival kicks off with daily events from Wednesday, October 26.
The fayre sees the centre of Richhill transformed with a stage for live entertainment, craft and market stalls, and a variety of food producers - all with an apple twist where possible. Last year, more than 4,000 people attended the main event.
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Organiser Ruth Briggs said: “Richhill is situated in the heart of the Orchard County, the main apple growing area in Northern Ireland. Our famous Armagh Bramley Apples are grown commercially on over 100 farms concentrated in the Richhill and Loughgall area.
“The festival takes place at the end of October to coincide with the end of the apple harvest, recognising the importance and value that apple growing brings to our local community.
“The Armagh Bramley Apple enjoys protected status, putting it up there with Champagne, Parma Ham and Welsh Leeks, so that in itself is something worth celebrating.”
There will also be a fireworks display and a quiz night. Another of the highlights of the 2022 Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre will be a cookery demonstration from Molly Cunningham of Ballytrim Pantry.
Children are the focus of the festival on the Friday night with the return of “Alternative Hallowe’en”, supported by the local Methodist church.
This event, which ends with fireworks lighting up the skies above Richhill, is focused on family fun, games and activities.
Ruth added: “If you haven’t been to the main day of our festival on the Saturday, you really are missing an absolutely fantastic day out in the lovely setting of our historic village.
“It’s a great opportunity to meet and talk to local artisan food and cider producers. You can also sample their produce as well as seeing what’s on offer at a wide range of craft stalls, all while listening to some terrific live music.
“You’d be apple-solutely mad to miss out again and we of course guarantee you a warm Orchard County welcome in Richhill.”
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