Old Apple Tree Festival

Vancouver’s popular Old Apple Tree Festival returns from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at Old Apple Tree Park, 112 S.E. Columbia Way. Strongly rooted in our community, the legendary Old Apple Tree makes its comeback. Planted in 1826 at Fort Vancouver, the Old Apple Tree is the oldest apple tree in the Northwest and is considered the matriarch of Washington State’s apple industry. Despite the trunk failing in June 2020, a new tree from the original root system has grown to take its place. The family-friendly, free event offers live music, Vancouver Land Bridge tours, hands-on arts and crafts, and apples and food for purchase. Local musical groups The Juleps, Ottomatics and Bobbie, Joe, and the New Guy will be providing live music throughout the day. The City’s Urban Forestry Commission will give away a limited number of tree cuttings from the Old Apple Tree during the festival.

Urban Abundance will host a free apple pressing station. Community members are encouraged to bring clean apples and containers to participate. Apple harvesting at the Historic Orchard will be coordinated by Urban Abundance; visit www.urbanabundance.org for more details. These apples will be pressed at the event or donated to the Clark County Food Bank. For more information about the Old Apple Tree Festival and Vancouver’s efforts to enhance the community’s urban trees canopy, please call Urban Forestry at 360-487-8308 or visit www.cityofvancouver.us/urbanforestry.