The theme for the 2023 Apple Festival is "Love Where You Live." The parade is scheduled for Saturday, September 23, at 10:00am.

2023 Apple Festival Catalog Cover Art Contest

The Chilhowie Community Apple Festival Committee is once again sponsoring a Catalog Cover Art Contest for our Festival Catalog and Brochure. The artwork will be judged by a panel of judges based on how well it illustrates the festival theme and its adaptability for use on festival publications.

The artist whose work is chosen as first place will receive a $50 monetary prize, and have their artwork on the cover of the catalog. The artist whose work is chosen as second place will receive a $25 monetary prize and have their art work on the cover of the brochure. Both artists will be recognized in the 2023 catalog and in the local newspapers.

This contest is open to all school age students that reside in the Smyth County School District. Students that attend the Smyth County Public Schools may submit their entities to their respective schools and the entries will be picked up by the committee after school on the day of the entry deadline. Students that reside in the Smyth County School District, but do not attend Smyth County Public Schools, may drop their entries off at the Chilhowie Public Library during regular library hours. Their entries will also be picked up after school hours on the day of the deadline.

The attached entry form must be included with all entries. Additional entry forms will be available at the Chilhowie Public Library and at all of the Smyth County Public Schools. Artwork will become the property of the Chilhowie Community Apple Festival Committee when it is submitted to be judged.

The theme of the 2023 Chilhowie Community Apple Festival is:

“Love Where You Live”

Southwest Virginia, the Appalachian Mountains, the Holston River Valley, Rural America - all of these describe where we live. They also describe desirable destinations for those that do not live here.

We often do not appreciate all that our area has to offer. We take it for granted because we have always lived here and do not have the perspective of seeing it through the eyes of someone who is experiencing it for the first time. The breathtaking beauty of the mountains, the abundant wildlife, the numerous rivers and lakes, the forests and hiking trails, the access to local produce and meats, our caring neighbors, several generations of families on family land, the continuing community traditions, and vision and planning for a sustainable future. As Dorothy said, “There is no place like home.”

The deadline of submission of artwork is Friday, April 14, 2023.

2023 Apple Festival Parade Float Contest

All area businesses, civic groups, schools and churches are encouraged to enter floats in the parade observing the theme, "Love Where You Live."

  • At approximately 9:00 AM on Saturday, September 23, 2023 U.S. Highway 11 will be closed from the intersection with Lyons Gap Road on the east side of Chilhowie to the intersection with Industrial Boulevard, on the west side of Chilhowie for the Parade.

    • The following volunteers will serve on this year's Apple Festival committee:

    This community event which so many citizens enjoy would not be possible without the hard working volunteers who spend a great deal of time and effort to make it happen. So if you enjoy the Apple Festival each year, a simple word of Thanks might be in order!