Fall is the perfect time to visit Nebraska City, Nebraska. This unique, historic town on the Missouri River may be best known as the Home of Arbor Day, but it is also popular for its bountiful orchards – and has been for nearly 100 years!
Nebraska City will celebrate the 48th annual AppleJack Festival September 16-18. AppleJack is a weekend full of festivities and good old-fashioned orchard fun. The AppleJack Festival continues to grow; it is estimated that 80,000 people visit Nebraska City that weekend to kick off the town’s harvest season. Each year promises traditional treats and new and exciting memories for the whole family. The theme for the 2016 AppleJack Festival is What’s Your #AppleTradition?
If you like caramel apples, apple pie, fresh and spicy apple cider doughnuts, apple wine, or just a lovely crisp apple, then this is the festival for you. Meander through apple orchards, snack on handfuls of kettle corn, wash it down with freshly-pressed apple cider, and browse throughout historic Nebraska City. There are numerous craft and vendor fairs citywide. Folks can also take in a fun run, a pancake feed, the AppleJam Carnival, food courts, a marching band competition parade, a classic car show, beer garden, live music, an outdoor movie, and a museum for every interest. (For a complete schedule of events, visit GoNebraskaCity.com.)
USA Today recently named AppleJack as one of the best fall harvest festivals in the country, but you can experience the beauty of Arbor Day’s hometown year round.