A family event for all ages, the UBC Apple Festival celebrates one of British Columbia’s favourite fruits. From children learning about the diversity of apples to those who remember tasting heritage apples in their youth, the Apple Festival is a great opportunity to not only discover more about this delicious fruit, but have a whole lot fun doing it!

Every year, around 44,000 lbs (20,000 kilos) of apples (2012 List of Apple Cultivars for Sale) are sold to thousands of hungry attendees. More than 70 varieties of heritage, new and “tried and true” varieties are available, grown both conventionally and organically. These include the heritage apples ‘Grimes Golden’ ‘Bramley Seedling’, ‘Cox’s Orange Pippin’ and many others and also new varieties like the very popular ‘Ambrosia’ which was hybridized in Cawston, British Columbia, will be available. Also for sale will be many varieties of apple trees (2012 List of Apple Tree Cultivars for Sale) grafted onto dwarfing root stock, perfect for the home garden or patio.

One of the most popular activities at the Apple Festival is our apple tasting tent (2012 List of Apple Cultivars Available at Tasting Tent). For only $5.00, curious event goers can taste up to 60 varieties of new and heritage apples grown in British Columbia. For those looking to learn more, the history and specific features of those varieties can be found in the Friends of the Garden’s “published in-house” Apple Booklet, available for purchase at the event.

Also at the event is The Vancouver Island-based BC Fruit Testers Association who host a physical display of the nearly 200 apple varieties that are still grown in British Columbia. Members of the association are also on-hand to give demonstrations of grafting and cider-pressing. Try to stump them with apple varieties from your garden, as they are experts at identifying apples (hint: bring along six apples from your unidentified tree). Nearby, Master Gardeners discuss apple-related diseases and pest management for those seeking problem-solving advice. At any time of the year, don’t forget you can visit UBC Botanical Garden’s online Fruit Trees discussion forum for more help!

Another feature at Apple Fest is our Children’s Area. Featuring activity stations ranging from crafts, to face painting, games and story telling, this is a great place to spend some fun time with your children (Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times). Choices Market will feature their “Longest Apple Peel” contest, and there will be a variety of talented entertainers to keep the family amused including family-friendly shows on the  Wesbrook Village Entertainment Stage in the Roseline Sturdy Amphitheatre. Look for signs up around the festival with the entertainment schedule posted.

Be sure to spend some time exploring our beautiful Botanical Garden or taking a “walk on the wild side” on our treetop Canopy Walkway. And don’t for get to take a break to enjoy some of the festival’s selection of tasty edibles such as apple pie and hot apple cider available for purchase at The Food Fair located on the main lawn near the Apple Tasting Tent.

While the Food Fair showcases tasty treats, the Shop in the Garden features an exciting array not only of apple-related merchandise but also tools, books and gifts. Our Plant Centre has a variety of fruit trees and hundreds of plant for your garden. Craft vendors, UBC Herbarium merchandise and UBC Farm produce are also available throughout the garden.

Admission is $4 for adults and children over 12 years, and includes FREE ENTRY TO THE GARDEN!

This event is brought to you by the Friends of the UBC Botanical Garden. All proceeds from this event support the educational, research and community programs in the Garden – your support helps the Garden to Grow.

A Bike Valet will be available at the main entrance and there is a FREE shuttle bus from the UBC Campus West Parkade.

For more information, call 604-822-4529. Please be advised that dogs are not permitted in UBC Botanical Garden. Hope to see you there!
Want to learn more about apples? Extensive information from the NSDL Scout Report for Life Sciences.

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