Any way you slice it, visitors can expect to have bushels of fun at the 20th-Annual Long Grove Apple Festival 2012. Visitors are invited to explore the many delicious ways to enjoy fall’s favorite fruit–from live music and entertainment to apple pies, apple cider donuts, caramel apple lattes, apple martinis, and more! Local restaurants and specialty shops will carry a wide range of apple-inspired treats, while local farmers will have baskets full of a variety of tree-ripened apples.

Visitors can relax and enjoy Long Grove’s outdoor ambiance, many activities for the whole family, including an apple donut eating contest, shopping, dining and live music staged throughout our historic village.

Musical acts including folk, bluegrass, country, rock, and jazz, will entertain crowds at stages centered around Fountain Square, The Covered Bridge and Towner Green through the three-day weekend in downtown Long Grove. Click here for the schedule of live entertainment!

“Long Grove comes together to celebrate our beloved harvest of apples and community ties with the Apple Festival, including two decades of memories. This year, it will be bigger and better than ever,” says Rachel Perkal, president of the Long Grove Business and Community Partners Organization. “In addition to all of the strolling street performers, musicians and entertainment, our local shops and restaurants also mark the Apple Festival as a new harvest of autumn-inspired merchandise and specials.”

ADMISSION: $5 Adults, Children < 12 Free. Admission fee gets you $5 Holiday Gift Certificate to any store in Long Grove, redeemable Oct. 1-Dec. 23.

Long Grove is located in Chicago’s northern suburbs, near Routes 53 and 83, north of Lake-Cook Rd. For more information, phone the Visitor’s Information Center at (847) 634-0888.

Long Grove’s Chocolate Fest, Strawberry Fest, and Apple Fest are all managed by a professional events company, Star Events. For information about being a food vendor, artisan or merchant spaces, sponsorship opportunities or entertainment booking, contact Star Events at (773) 665-4682 and all details & applications are available online at www.StarEvents.com.