Applefest USA • La Crescent, MN

The La Crescent Apple Festival was founded in September 1949 by Ralph Jones and Mel Hickenbotham, with the purpose of promoting La Crescent, its apple industry, and “putting La Crescent on the map”.

The initial planning session was held just two weeks prior to the fest. The first Apple Festival was a huge success, drawing a crowd of nearly 20,000 people and was just a sample of what was to come, as the festivals have grown in size and quality every year.

The Apple Festival was incorporated in 1958 with a seven-member board. It has grown to allow for a maximum board of 42.