Salem AppleFest

08/26/2026

📣📣📣🍎🚗 IMPORTANT APPLEFEST 2026 TRAFFIC & ENTRY CHANGES! 🚗🍎📣📣📣

We have some important changes coming to AppleFest this year, and we want to give everyone plenty of notice before the big day!

We are working with the Marion County Emergency Management Agency to put a traffic and safety plan in place for AppleFest 2026. As many of you know, in years past we have experienced traffic backing up all the way to Main & Broadway. Our biggest priorities are SAFETY, easier entry, and keeping traffic moving!

🚗 NEW THIS YEAR — S. LAKE STREET WILL BE THE ONLY ENTRANCE

🚫 Davis drive and back entrances will be blocked with no entry for the public.

➡️ ALL AppleFest traffic will enter the Marion County Fairgrounds from S. Lake Street, directly across from Casey’s Gas Station.

Using this entrance allows us to utilize two lanes of vehicles, helping us move cars through the gate more efficiently and reduce traffic backups.

🚫 The front fairgrounds entrance on S. Broadway will NOT be an entrance during AppleFest.
This entrance will be EXIT ONLY — NO ENTRY.

♿ HANDICAPPED PARKING:
Please enter through the S. Lake Street entrance across from Casey’s with all other traffic. Once inside the fairgrounds, our team will direct you to the designated handicapped parking areas.

⏰ PUBLIC ENTRY BEGINS AT 10:00 AM

To help us keep those two lanes moving:

🚗 $5 per car
🚶 Walk-up admission: $2 per person
💵 PLEASE HAVE EXACT CHANGE READY!

Having your admission ready when you reach the gate will make a BIG difference in keeping traffic moving and getting everyone parked quickly.

Your admission fee helps cover the costs of holding AppleFest and allows us to continue bringing this community event to Salem. ❤️

🗺️ PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED TRAFFIC MAP BEFORE YOU ARRIVE!

We encourage everyone to take a quick look at the map so you are familiar with the new traffic flow ahead of time. Signs will also be posted the day of AppleFest to clearly direct you where to enter, park, and exit.

We know this is a change from previous years, which is why we want to get the information out early and continue reminding everyone as we get closer.

🍎 APPLEFEST 2026
📅 Saturday, September 26th
⏰ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Marion County Fairgrounds

We are so excited for AppleFest 2026 and are preparing for a wonderful day! ❤️🍂

PLEASE SHARE THIS POST! The more people who know about the new S. Lake Street entrance across from Casey’s before they arrive, the easier it will be to keep traffic moving for everyone. 🚗➡️🍎

08/23/2026

🍎🚨 EXCITING APPLEFEST ANNOUNCEMENT! 🚨🍎

We are SO excited to announce that we will have a very special guest making his APPLEFEST DEBUT this year...

🚙🤎 TOW MATER! 🤎🚙

Mater will be hanging out at APPLEFEST and ready for photos with all of his fans! 📸🍎 This is going to be such a fun photo opportunity for kids, families, and—let's be real—all of us adults who love Mater too! 😂❤️

A HUGE THANK YOU to Back Row Garage for making this possible and helping us add another fun experience to APPLEFEST! We appreciate our local businesses who jump in and help us make this event special for our community.

📅 Saturday, September 26
⏰ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Marion County Fairgrounds

Come find Mater, grab a picture, and enjoy a full day of APPLEFEST fun! 🍎🚙📸

Who's getting their picture with Mater?! 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️

08/19/2026

REGISTER HERE: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/applewars-registration

08/05/2026

🍎 Attention Applefest 2026 Vendors! 🍎

Vendor Welcome Packets have officially been sent out today! 🎉

Please check your email inbox as well as your spam/junk folder to make sure you received yours.

The welcome packet contains important information about:
✅ Setup times
✅ Booth assignments
✅ Parking
✅ Event day procedures
✅ Weather policy
✅ Vendor reminders
…and much more!

If you did not receive your Welcome Packet, please email me as soon as possible at [email protected] so we can make sure you have all the information you need before Applefest.

Thank you for being a part of Applefest 2026! We can't wait to welcome you on Saturday, September 26th for another incredible event! 🍎🎉

07/29/2026

🍎 Attention Applefest Vendors! 🍎

You should have received a Vendor Update email from us today!

📧 Didn't receive it? Please check your spam/junk folder first. If it's still not there, we may have an incorrect email address on file.

Please reach out to us at [email protected] so we can update your information and make sure you don't miss any important Applefest announcements.

Thank you for being part of Applefest 2026! We have some exciting things in the works and can't wait to share them with you! 🍏🍎🎉

07/13/2026

🍎 FOOD VENDOR REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR APPLEFEST 2026! 🍎

The Greater Salem Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that Food Vendor applications are now live for AppleFest 2026, taking place on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at the Salem Fairgrounds!

We are currently accepting applications from:
🌭 Food Trucks
🍔 Food Vendors
🍦 Specialty Food & Beverage Vendors

Vendor spaces are limited and applications will be reviewed in the order they are received. To help create the best experience for attendees, duplicate menu items may be limited.

✅ Apply Online Today:

Food Truck vendors
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/applefest-food-vendor-application

Craft & Artisans: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/applefest-vendor-registration

📅 Event Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
📍 Location: Marion County Fairgrounds, Salem, Illinois
⏰ Event Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Questions? Contact us at [email protected].

We can't wait to welcome visitors from across the region for one of Salem's favorite fall traditions! 🍎🍂🎪

06/14/2026

APPLEFEST 2026 APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN 🍎🍎…

Advocating for economic advancement, business to business connection, & regional growth.