Apple lovers, rejoice.
This time of year, North Georgia is rich with apple-picking options, along with apple celebrations galore.
Here are five events that celebrate local orchards, followed by a list of places to pick or buy Georgia's best apples:
Red Apple Barn at Little Bend Orchard. Wagon rides, cornhole, horseshoes and pick-your-own apples weekends in September and October. $4 quarter peck, $6 half peck, $12 peck. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 12:30-5:30 p.m. Sundays. 3379 Tailscreek Road, Ellijay. 706-635-5898 or 706-635-7674.
R&A Orchards. Pick-your-own apple season continues through the end of September, weekends only. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Free admission. $8 and $16 bags. Market open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. 5505 Ga. 52 East, Ellijay. 706-273-3821, randaorchards.com. Farm tours and U-pick apples every weekend in September.
Big Red Apple Festival in Cornelia includes crafts from local artisans, regional food vendors, hay rides, a car show and a kid zone; 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 8. Free. Downtown Cornelia; 706-778-8585, extension 280.
The Georgia Apple Festival
9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 8-9 and 15-16.
$5; children under 10 are free. Parking donations benefit local civic groups.
Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds, 1729 S. Main St., Ellijay. 706-636-4500.
An abundance of luscious fruit along with more than 300 vendors with hand-crafted items. Munch out and shop, then pause for demonstrations of select crafts.
September and October weekends at B.J. Reece's Apple House
B.J. Reece's Apple House. 9131 Hwy 52 E., Ellijay. 706-276-3048.
Lots of countrified fun, like pig races, apple cannons, wagon rides and a scavenger hunt through the cornfield. And, yes, apples!
Hillcrest Orchards Apple Tree Maze
9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sept. 10 and each Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 30
Included in $10 general admission
Hillcrest Orchards. 9696 Hwy 52 E., Ellijay. 706-273-3838
The South's first apple tree maze opens this fall with a life-size puzzle of paths down the apple alleys.
If you don't get your fill of regional apples at apple events, try these orchards and apple markets:
Aaron Family Orchards. 8350 Hwy 52 E., Ellijay. 706-273-3180.
The Aarons began this operation in 1938, prior to the U.S. entering World War II, and every generation has worked there since.
B.J. Reece's Apple House. 9131 Hwy 52 E., Ellijay. 706-276-3048.
Reece's has U-Pick apples 9 a.m.-6 p.m. every day of the week from now until the end of October.
Hudson's Apple House. 8036 Hwy 52 E., Ellijay. 706-273-3160.
Petting farm, bakery and orchards with Apple Pickin' Jubilee Sept. 10-Oct. 30 on Saturdays and Sundays and Columbus Day. $10 per person (walking age & up)
Mack Aaron's Apple House. 8955 Hwy 52 E., Ellijay. 706-273-3600.
Apples, bakery, store.
Panorama Farm Market & Orchards. Hwy 515 S. (3 miles south of Ellijay). 706-276-3818.
You're guaranteed to find at least 11 varieties of apples for sale. Open 7 days a week 9 a.m.-6 p.m. with local apples galore.
Penland's Apple House, Two locations: Hwy 515 / 41 Talona Spur, 706-635-5110. Also Hwy 282 /7678 Tails Creek Road, 706-635-5100.
No pick your own but a wide variety of apples and convenient to the bypass, opposite Panarama.
Seller's Apple House. 255 Parks Dr/Hwy 52 E., Ellijay. 706-273-3026.
Apples, cider, honey and bakery items.
Alto and Commerce
Jaemor Farms. Two locations: 5340 Cornelia Highway (Highway 365 at the 35 mile marker), Alto. 770-869-3999. Second location: 40081 U.S. Hwy 441, Commerce, 706-335-0999.
Bakery with fresh fruit pies, apple cider donuts and the like, local honey and homemade ice cream. Some fall you-pick dates.
Blue Ridge
Mercier Orchards. 8660 Blue Ridge Drive, Blue Ridge, 706-632-3411.
Admission $4
U-pick events, winery and tractor tours.
For a list of Ellijay apple orchards, click here.
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