COVINGTON — In agriculture, you start with planting a seed, cultivating it and then watching it grow.
That basic premise has also worked for the Covington Apple Fest on the Covington Square.
The Covington Business Association, looking for an event to highlight the downtown square, partnered with Coffing Bros. Apple Orchard for the first one and it’s been getting bigger and bigger.
The 35th Apple Fest is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Eastern) this Saturday in Covington with an all-time high of 133 vendors registered.
“We had to cut it off this year because we didn’t have enough space for any more vendors,’’ said Amy Thompson, chairperson for the Apple Fest, who compared it to the Hoopeston National Sweetcorn Festival. “The sweetcorn festival is the Super Bowl for Hoopeston and the Apple Fest is the Super Bowl for Covington.’’
Thompson admits that every booth has something unique or special to offer, but the main booth will always be the booth for Coffing Bros. Apple Orchard.
“Coming to Covington to get their apples is a big part of this day for a lot of people in the Danville area,’’ Thompson said.
In addition to the booths, the Apple Fest has a full lineup of entertainment that will be presented this year by The Fountain Trust Company on the Courthouse Gazebo.
“To make room for more vendors, we eliminated the stage this year,’’ Thompson said.
Highlighting Saturday’s entertainment are musical performances by Forgiven, Bee Ziegler, Mae & Jae, Catlin Crozier and Pamela Adam.
Additionally, there is the Covington Apple Fest Car Show. Registration is from 9-11:30 a.m. (Eastern) on Saturday with a $10 entry fee. Awards will be presented at 1:30 p.m. (Eastern).
Also at 1:30 p.m. there will be a presentation to honor the Coffing Family. The presentation will take place at the Courthouse Gazebo with representatives from Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office, Mayor Brad Crain and Apple Fest Committee Members.
New for this year’s Apple Fest are the decorated windows on several businesses on the square.
Covington teacher Lindsey Kemper along with students Rhiannon Bishop, Lilly Cook, Makayla Heskett, Reese Montreguard, Emily Wheeling and Audrey Wolfe painted the business windows.
“There are some really talented kids in Covington,’’ Thompson said. “It’s looks really good around the square with all of this community support.’’
The 2026 Apple Fest Queen is Faith Perkins, while Lacy Newlin in the Apple Fest Junior Miss.