Applefest 2024:
Friday – Sunday, October 11 – 13
Mahaffey Camp Applefest is an annual fall festival held at Mahaffey Camp. It is a cherished tradition among Mahaffey Campers, a highlight of the autumn season for many.
Applefest is a time of fellowship, fun, and celebration. Some of the activities that take place are campfire time, a steam train demo, a cornhole tournament, wagon rides, a scarecrow decorating contest, a benefit auction, live music and entertainment, and the “Anything Edible” Apple Baking Contest. Activities are available for children, including games and crafts. Several family events are held throughout the weekend. On Saturday, a Food Truck Festival and Crafters’ & Artisans’ Fair will take place.
At Applefest, friends and family enjoy warm apple cider and homemade apple butter together, while spending quality time in fellowship with one another. Applefest is held annually in the beginning of October. Come celebrate the fall season with us at Mahaffey Camp Applefest!
Special Events at Applefest
Cornhole Tournament
Come play in our annual Cornhole Tournament! Register as an individual or a two-person team. Double-elimination tournament; prizes awarded to the top three finishing teams. Spectators welcome! Registration cost is $15/individual or $20/team if registered by October 3. Walk-in registrations (after October 3) are $20/individual or $30/team.
Scarecrow Decorating Contest
Bring your creativity and decorate your very own scarecrow! Wooden frames are provided; participants must bring all other supplies needed. Judging will take place at 11:30. Information and registration forms can be picked up at the Camp Info Table near the Camp Office on Saturday.
Canvas Painting Party
Join us for a relaxing and memorable time of creativity! Each participant will get to create their own 8×10″ canvas painting with this adorable pumpkin design. Artists of all ages and skill levels are welcome – no prior experience is necessary! Instruction is provided by Corie Hartsock of The Painting Broad. All proceeds from this event benefit our many year-round camp ministries.
“Anything Apple” Baking Contest
Enter a homemade apple dessert in our “Anything Apple” baking contest! Entries are judged based on appearance, taste, and creativity. There are two categories for the contest: participants under 18 and over 18. All contest entries will be auctioned off after judging, as a fundraiser for the camp’s ministries.
Donations are also welcome! To donate a baked good for the auction, bring it to the camp info table labeled “auction donation.” Thank you!
Chili Cook-Off
Showcase your recipe and enter our annual Chili Cook-Off! Entries will be judged and the top three winners will be chosen, with prizes awarded. Participants must bring at least 6 quarts of chili; entries will be sold after judging as a fundraiser for the camp’s ministries.
Children’s Art Show
Kids and teens: enter your original apple-themed artwork in our Children’s Art Show! Artwork can be 2D or 3D in a medium of your choice; no size limitation. Drop-off times are Friday, October 6 (6-7 PM) and Saturday, October 7 (9-10 AM). Categories include ages 5 & under, 6-12, and 13-18. Prizes will be awarded by 4 PM on Saturday.
Reserve Lodging at Applefest
Need a place to stay during Applefest? We have Dorm 5 rooms and RV sites available. Fill out the form at the link below to make your reservation.
Auction Donations
We are now accepting items for the Applefest Benefit Auction.
Donations can be brought to the Camp Office any day during office hours, or to the auction area prior to 8:30 AM on Saturday, October 11. We accept
new or gently used items; no clothing or large electronics (TVs, computers, etc.) can be accepted. Thank you for your support!
Support our ministries by making an Auction Basket! Making an auction basket can be a fun project for your family, group, or business that will benefit the camp. Baskets can be creatively themed (movie night, gardening supplies, baking supplies, etc.), and when auctioned off, they’ll help us raise funds for our year-round programming. Businesses can also support us by providing a gift card or other donation for the auction – call the camp office for details at (814) 277-5544.
Promotional Materials
Vendor Applications
2023 Applefest Sponsors
A giant THANK YOU to our 2023 Applefest sponsors! Their generous contributions allow us to provide quality programming at this year’s festival.
Cresson Alliance Church
Lou320Art
In Memory of Rick Glass
H & H Hardware
Clearfield, PA
Mind, Body, and Soul 4Life Coaching
Ellison Industrial Controls
And thank you to our Anonymous Sponsors!
Become a Sponsor
There is no admittance fee to Applefest; it is our goal that this event provides a Christ-centered outreach opportunity to our community and beyond. However, there are many costs associated with hosting this event. Sponsorships allow us to provide high-quality programming at this outreach, so that families and friends can enjoy a beautiful day of fellowship.
We invite businesses, churches, groups, or even individuals/families to prayerfully consider becoming a sponsor of Applefest. As a thank you, your logo will be posted on our website, and also posted on our sponsorship board during the event. Anonymous donations are also welcome. Thank you for your support!