Ithaca's 44th annual Apple Harvest Festival will fill downtown with apples, food, crafts and live performances Sept. 25-27, with a pie-eating contest and family activities among the weekend's highlights.
The festival runs from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26-27, according to the Downtown Ithaca Alliance. Vendors, a farmers market and fall-themed treats are planned throughout the weekend.
Friday's schedule includes a student showcase and a performance by Double Tiger. The festival also will have a Family Fun Zone and other performers each day.
Pie contest and weekend activities
The Great Apple Pie Eating Contest is set for 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at Bernie Milton Pavilion, 100 N. Tioga St. Competitors must register in advance and pay a $25 entry fee. Watching is free. The contest is a fundraiser for The History Center in Tompkins County, and medals will go to the first-, second- and third-place finishers.
Zero Waste Ithaca is asking festivalgoers to bring reusable cups, water bottles, food containers, utensils, napkins or bags. Visitors who stop at the group's table with reusable items can get an “I Brought My Own to Apple Fest 2026” sticker. The group also plans to share information about its local reuse efforts.
Getting involved
The Downtown Ithaca Alliance is seeking volunteers for festival activities. Bike Walk Tompkins is separately recruiting volunteers to provide free bike valet parking for personal and bikeshare bicycles from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The festival received support from the Tompkins County Tourism Program and several business sponsors, the alliance said.
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