If you could step back in time into the 1800s where food was cooked over fire and items were all made by hand, would you? 

The 49th annual Johnny Appleseed Festival gives you the opportunity to press rewind and enjoy some of the good parts of the old days on Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 21-22, at Johnny Appleseed Park, next to Memorial Coliseum.

Fact vs. legend

This unique festival honors the life of John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, who is believed to be buried in Fort Wayne.

Johnny Appleseed is a name we have heard since childhood. Now, the line between what he did and what he is “said” to have done has gotten blurred as the years have gone by. 

What remains true is he held a huge role within the American frontier. It is known that Appleseed planted a large amount of apple trees throughout Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. He was a businessman you might say. Planting an orchard was, in other terms, a way of claiming land. As settlers moved, they needed land and nutrients, and apple orchards were a great way to provide both of those. 

Appleseed was truly a pioneer for modern agriculture and laid the foundation for many years to come. 

The Johnny Appleseed Festival began taking shape in 1974 when a group of individuals and vendors got together and planned a festival within the park where he is supposedly buried at the top of a hill.

As stated on the festival’s website: “The Johnny Appleseed Gravesite is nationally known, but there is much controversy on where he is actually buried. We are pretty confident that this is not the actual burial site of Johnny. What many people do not know is that the hill is an actual gravesite for the Archer family. If you look up within the bushes, you will find real tombstones marking graves that are somewhere on the backside of the hill. This has been confirmed.” 

The Archer family also play a large role in the foundational history of Fort Wayne. 

Regardless of where Appleseed is actually buried, this festival is a great way to honor him and get a chance to experience a life we have never lived. 

Having standards

Obviously, so much has changed, and as technology advances, it will only continue to progress. 

It is a truly awesome we have an opportunity to disconnect and view life differently. Even if it is for such a short period, putting your phone down and enjoying the outdoors is something our society struggles with in general.

One thing that makes this festival so unique is the standards they hold their vendors to. Everything sold must be made by hand, cooking has to be over an open fire without propane, and the vendors are required to wear period-accurate outfits from the 1800s. 

“Many requests to become a vendor or entertain or pass out pamphlets about their group come in through our website every day, only to be respectfully declined because they did not realize the period-style type of festival this is,” the festival’s website points out. “We have strived to hold ourselves to that standard of maintaining the festival in this fashion and we are praised each and every year for doing so.” 

It is so interesting that they hold such a high standard so the festival remains one-of-a-kind and one of the few that is able to continue operating like this. 

Many festivals have conformed to today’s society with electronic payments and other modern technology in general, but not Johnny Appleseed. 

However, if you find yourself wanting to purchase something, they do have an ATM. 

Holiday shopping

On top of the crafts and delicious food, the festival also has an “amusement park” for children that is full of handmade/hand-operated small rig rides. 

They also have a cannon demonstration throughout the day, where you will want to have your ears covered. 

Many of the workers are knowledgeable in their historical facts and are happy to explain their process of how they make what they are selling. 

The Johnny Appleseed Festival is also a great opportunity to buy gifts for the upcoming holidays. If you are looking for something that is different instead of just another band shirt or pair of socks, why not get a hand carved outdoor decoration? 

One of my favorite booths every year is one selling fresh flowers where you’re able to build your own bouquet. I also really love the miniature clay decorations booth, and that’s just to name a couple. There are hundreds. There are so many cute things and delicious foods to choose from. 

Enjoy the music from the 1800s or watch a small play for the kiddos.

Regardless of what you do, there are many activities to enjoy.