Applefest to build on last year’s growth for its 40th festival
By David Yin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
Applefest will host its 40th event on Sept. 27 at Markham Museum, building on its growth of sales and visitors from last year.
The annual festival aims to teach visitors of all ages about Markham’s agricultural and apple-based history.
Revisit the past with this year’s blacksmith and print shop demonstrations, as well as enjoy hands-on activities like apple schnitzing.
Other activities include the Don Valley North Trolley trackless train, the Inflatable and Games Area, orchard apple picking, face painting, mini-golf, live performances, museum exhibitions, and photo opportunities.
Visitors can purchase cider and other refreshments at the Brews ‘n Bites section, run by the Rouge River Brewing Company. For the first time, Rouge River will also offer non-alcoholic beer cans at the festival.
After almost four decades of providing fun for families, Applefest received a surge in popularity last year.
The 2024 event attracted 65 per cent more new visitors than the previous year and tripled Markham Museum’s memberships.
It also increased admission, fresh-pressed cider, and gift shop sales by 25, 80, and 135 per cent, respectively.
Ultimately, it won a Top 100 Events Award in 2025 by Festivals and Events Ontario.
Lilian Galstanian, event coordinator for Applefest, said that the festival’s rebranding and new logo, as well as its partnership with Rouge River Brewing Company, may have contributed to last year’s growth.
“We definitely got more of the 20- and 30-year-olds coming in instead of just families with kids,” she said.
“These efforts not only brought in 65 per cent new visitors, but it also significantly boosted revenue across multiple areas and really reinforced the value of evolving the festival while also staying true to its roots.”
Galstanian added that she wants the festival to continue growing as it enters its 40th celebration.
“We’re continuing to utilize that [marketing and rebranding] and give it a push to grow and expand from there – not only further into our community, but further into York Region and the GTA.”
Visit markhammuseum.ca for more details and to purchase tickets to the festival.
Photo: A vendor offers fresh-pressed apple cider to a child at Applefest. The festival saw an 80 per cent increase in fresh-pressed cider sales last year. (City of Markham photo)