Since 1985, Dover has welcomed people of all ages to celebrate Apple Harvest Day in the city. What started as a very small craft fair on Orchard Street has grown to an event that now draws more than 60,000 people and more than 300 vendors, along with musicians, other performers and community groups. “It has definitely grown into a regional festival,” said Margaret Joyce, president of the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, which organizes the event.
“At its heart, it’s a craft fair. We put a strong emphasis on crafting vendors. You’re going to find a large assortment of crafts — mostly small vendors.
These are people who are maybe doing some woodworking or (creating) holiday ornaments. A lot of homemade, handmade crafts.” This year’s downtown event will be held Saturday from 9 a.
m. to 4 p.m.
, rain or shine. A 5K road race, which welcomes advanced runners, beginners and families, begins the festivities at 8:30 a.m.
on St. Thomas Street. A wide assortment of products will be available from vendors including glasswork, pottery, baked good, jellies and jams, dog treats, gelato, home decor, carved wooden birds, watercolors and comic books.
Some beverage vendors will be creating a special label on their products to recognize the event’s 40th year. “It’s a very family-friendly event. It’s tight but it’s a very upbeat crowd,” Joyce said.
“For me, it’s a little feeling of nostalgia. It’s a real old-fashioned, feel-good type of event..