As we slip further into the season of all things cider, there’s a variety of events available nationwide to celebrate harvest season in the best way possible. For your convenience, here is a list of five cider gatherings across the continent sure to highlight the core of why cider is here to stay. These festivals are always big events that are packed full of fun and laughter. The events will all be checked in terms of health and safety, including pedestrian safety barriers and the vendors serving at the event, therefore you can leave your worries at home and join in with the festivities!
Pour the Core Long Island | Long Island, NY | September 30
Revel in the magic of cider season with fellow cider enthusiasts at the sixth annual occurrence of this all-about-apples event. Featuring local and international ciders from over 75 purveyors, Pour the Core will include fun for all with a donut eating contest and live entertainment, plus a portion of the proceeds going to KiDS NEED MoRE, an organization dedicated to serving child cancer patients. Tickets start at $45.
Whidbey Island Cider Fest | Whidbey Island, WA | September 30
Located on beautiful Whidbey Island in Washington’s scenic Puget Sound, this five-hour festival will showcase some of the best ciders in the Pacific Northwest, including tastings with cideries such Alpenfire, Finnriver, Bull Run and more. While entry is free to this family-friendly extravaganza, there is a $25 fee to gain entrance into the cider area where over 20 ciders await you.
Montana Cider Week | Various Locations, MT | October 1-7
A celebration of all things pertaining to Montana craft cider, the second edition of this week-long festival will take place in a number of locations around the state. There will be a variety of events including tap takeovers, cider pairings with local restaurants, community cider pressing and more! For information on individual cider crazed occasions, check out the events section on the festival’s Facebook page. Pricing for individual events vary.
Ciderfest NC | Asheville, NC | October 7
Enjoy an abundance of fall fun, scrumptious sips and handcrafted food at the fifth appearance of this autumnal affair. There will be something for everyone at this day long festival, widely recognized as the first of its kind in North Carolina. This year, to add to the feel-good atmosphere that it has gotten recognition for in the past, a portion of the event’s proceeds will head to the Green Built Alliance, a local nonprofit. Tickets start at $33.
Vashon Cider Fest | Vashon, WA | October 7
Committed to celebrating the long and rich history of craft cider not only in Washington but in the United States as a whole, this cider soirée will feature a plethora of events seeking to educate, entertain and exhilarate. There will be cider pressing, a farmers market, orchard tours and, of course, cider tasting. Entrance to this 21-and-over festival is $15 and comes with a Cider Fest tasting glass as well as five tickets for tasting assorted ciders.
