The Johnny Appleseed Festival is a long-standing tradition in Fort Wayne. Year after year, families enjoy this period-authentic festival that celebrates the life and time of John Chapman, otherwise known as Johnny Appleseed.

Johnny Appleseed Festival: A Fort Wayne Tradition

History of Johnny Appleseed

You may wonder why Fort Wayne loves Johnny Appleseed so much. Legend has it that John Chapman traveled throughout the Midwest, planting and tending to apple orchards as a business. Originally from Massachusetts, John traveled ahead of the migration, established apple orchards, and then sold the trees and sometimes orchards to the settlers. John Chapman’s final resting place is in Fort Wayne, because while here, he contracted pneumonia and passed away. You can pay respect to John Chapman at his gravesite located along the St. Joseph River at Johnny Appleseed Park.

Plan Your Fort Wayne, Indiana Fall Getaway

The Johnny Appleseed Festival began in 1975, one of Fort Wayne’s events held in preparation for the nation’s Bicentennial in 1976, and has grown to be one of the region's leading period-authentic pioneer festivals.

Food tents at the Johnny Appleseed Festival. People walking around looking at the food. Food vendors wearing pioneer-style clothing for the festival.

What to Expect at the Johnny Appleseed Festival

Every year, 250,000 people enjoy the two-day festival, which features around 170 vendors including 41 food booths, 30 demonstrators, 100 crafters, numerous entertainers, a children’s game area, and Civil War re-enactors.

The festival is situated in the beautiful Johnny Appleseed Park, located along the St. Joseph River. Vendors set up throughout the park, providing a fun fall atmosphere to the festival. Picnic tables and straw bales are located throughout the wooded grounds, providing perfect areas to grab some food, have a seat, and enjoy the festival.

“The Johnny Appleseed Festival appeals to a wide range of ages. The period authenticity takes people back to another era and provides not only fun but education as well. Children can visit the Trappers and Traders near Parnell [road], the military encampments along the river, and the demonstrators in the campground area to learn about the history of our nation,” according to Bridget Kelly, with the Johnny Appleseed Festival.

Individuals walking past a food vendor at the Johnny Appleseed Festival - a period authentic festival in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

How to Enjoy the Johnny Appleseed Festival

To get the full experience of the Johnny Appleseed Festival, plan out your route through the festival.

From the food vendors, crafts, antiques, roving entertainment, children’s area, military reenactments, and the farmer’s market, you will want to plan out where you would like to go first and where your favorite food stops are located.

For the perfect time of day, plan on going at 10 AM when the festival opens.

“Some [visitors] come on Saturday to shop and return on Sunday with the family to eat, play the children’s games and enjoy the entertainment. Others break it up – a little shopping, a little eating, a little entertainment… And, either early or late in the day are your best bets to attend – between 11:00 AM and 2:30 PM, it can get so crowded that it’s difficult to move,” says Kelly.

Johnny Appleseed Festival Tips

Be prepared to enjoy the best of the Johnny Appleseed Festival with a few of our quick tips –

  1. Be sure to pick up a free brochure from the festival's website, and map out your game plan. With an entertainment schedule of three stages, food and vendor listings, and a map, this brochure will help you navigate the festival. Brochures will also be available at the information booth at the festival.
     
  2. Wear layers – with fall just around the corner it could be cool in the morning, and warm by midday. Plus, some areas of the festival are shaded while others are in the sun.
     
  3. Wear comfortable shoes – you will be walking a lot during the festival.
     
  4. Plan your parking!

    On-site parking is available at the Memorial Coliseum for $8. (Cash or card)

    You can find free parking on the Purdue Fort Wayne campus (across Coliseum Blvd.) or at the Concordia Lutheran High School athletics lot (on N Anthony Blvd.) Buses run continuously from the PFW Campus and Concordia High School athletics lot to the festival grounds — at no cost!

    No matter where you park, just remember to make a mental note before you head into the festival. It can be easy to forget where you parked once you enter the festival.
     
  5. Bring cash! Be prepared and have some cash on hand. While many vendors accept cash or card, some may only accept cash.

The Johnny Appleseed Festival is an essential part of the Fort Wayne community. “I think it means family and friends, the end of summer and the coming of autumn, and the opportunity to partake in a unique celebration that brings together the best elements of our community,” says Kelly.

For more information on the festival and other things to do in Fort Wayne, discover Fort Wayne’s fall getaways.

Johnny Appleseed Festival

1500 N Harry Baals Dr
Saturday, September 21 | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday, September 22 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Cost: FREE

**Help feed the community! Attendees are invited to bring non-perishable food items and drop them off in the barrels around the festival grounds. These will be donated to Community Harvest Food Bank.**