Check Out Scenes From The 2021 Darlington Apple Festival

DARLINGTON, MD — Every year, families come from near and far to celebrate the first Saturday in October at the Darlington Apple Festival. Due to the coronavirus, the festival did not happen last year.

In 2021, it felt like "Indian summer," with temps topping out around 80 degrees on festival day, according to the Whistler Road band, which served up rock and soul for an audience sitting on hay bales.

Apple products were the stars of the show, from fritters and pies to dumplings. The Darlington Volunteer Fire Company was even selling apple pies and crumb cakes in the parking lot where people could board the shuttle bus.

Attendees were required to wear masks on the shuttle bus — which traveled from the Chesapeake Harley-Davidson (which closed for the day due to the festival), Darlington firehouse and High's parking lots to the gathering on Shuresville Road.

"We recommend the masks be worn on the festival grounds, but this is not required," Darlington Apple Festival organizers said.

Here are some scenes from the 2021 Darlington Apple Festival:

When To Go: The Darlington Apple Festival is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2. The apple pie contest award winners will be announced at noon at the Haybale Auditorium.

What Not To Bring: Neither pets nor alcohol is permitted.

Where Is It: The festival is at 2120 Shuresville Road in Darlington. See the festival map.

When Is The Apple Pie Contest: Submit pies from 9 to 10 a.m. at Darlington United Methodist Church, 2118 Shuresville Road. Drop them off in the basement. Read the contest rules. The contest is free to enter.

Who's Playing: Check out the live music schedule below.

• 10 a.m. — Deer Creek
• 11:30am. — Foggy Hollow
• 12 p.m. — Announcements
• 1:30 p.m. — Whistler Road Band

Guide To 2021 Darlington Apple Festival

What Kind Of Vendors: Booths will be set up for those selling everything from apples to yoga mats to Thanksgiving flower arrangements to feather hairpins. See the vendor list.

What Activities Are There: Hayrides, pony rides and cornhole, to name a few. The cornhole contest is free to enter.

Where To Park: People can park off site and take a shuttle to the festival from Chesapeake Harley-Davidson (4600 Thunder Court), the Darlington firehouse (2600 Castleton Road) and the field across from the High's gas station (4585 Conowingo Road).

Where Is Handicapped Parking: This is on the grounds of Darlington Elementary School. To get there from MD Route 161/Darlington Road, take a right onto Old Quaker Road and then proceed on School Road. Signs for handicapped parking will be posted.

How Old Is It: The festival started in 1986. It is run by volunteers.

The Darlington Apple Festival will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2.