Applefest 2025:
Friday – Sunday, October 10 – 12
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.
Applefest is held annually at the beginning of October. Come celebrate the fall season with us at Mahaffey Camp Applefest!
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10th
1 – 5 PM Camp Office Open Check in for Dorm / RV Reservations
6 – 7 PM Dinner at the Dining Hall – $10 for adults. $8 for children 10 and under. Includes dessert and drinks.
6 – 7 PM Children’s Art Show Drop-off at the Bookstore.
7 – 9 PM Pickleball Pick-Up Games: Rackets available – or bring your own! Children must be accompanied by a parent.
7:30 PM Resin Craft – Dining Hall Pre-Registration Required by Oct. 1
8 – 9 PM Mahaffey Milkshakes. Milkshake windows in the bottom of the Camp Store.
APPLEFEST REMINDERS:
Bring a lawn chair for outdoor seating.
Bring cash for food trucks, flea market, apple butter/cider, and Artisan Fair. Cash, check, and cards accepted at the Benefit Auction.
Be weather-ready. Many events are held outside.
Schedule and event locations are subject to change due to weather.
Available all weekend: Playground, Creation Center, and Trial Trails.
Pets, bikes, and scooters are not permitted in organized activity areas.
Children must be supervised during all scheduled activities.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11th
8 AM Groundhog Grinds opens
9 AM – 4 PM Camp Info Table Open: Mahaffey Camp merchandise, schedules, and registrations available.
9 – 11:30 AM Benefit Auction
9 – 10 AM Children’s Art Show Dropoff at the Bookstore
9:30 AM Apple Baking Contest Camp Info Table. Entries due for judging by 9:30 AM.
9:30 – 11:30 AM Scarecrow Decorating Contest Dining Hall Front Yard. Registration forms are available at the Camp Info Table
9:30 – 2 PM Flea Market Open: Missions Building.
10 – 4 PM Crafter & Artisan Fair The Grove.
11 AM – 4 PM Children’s Art Show: Open for public view at the Bookstore. Pick-up/prizes awarded at 4 PM
11 AM – 6 PM Food Trucks
1 – 3 PM Steam Train Demo
2 – 3 PM Family Photo Op. Mahaffey Camp Photographer available to take family and group photos. The Bell Tower.
2:00 – 4:00 PM FREE Children’s Activities: Games, Crafts. North RV Lot.
1 PM – 6 PM FREE Children’s Sensory Stations. North RV Lot.
2 – 4 PM Wagon Rides. Board at Dorm 5 Porch
2 PM Milea Meetup! Join us at the Apple Butter tent to thank Milea Reynolds for her many years of serving Jesus at Mahaffey Camp!
2 PM – ? Fresh Apple Cider & Apple Butter – Available while supplies last.
4:00 PM Corn hole Tournament 3:30 Registration/Warm Up Opens. Basketball Court (Rain Plan: Children’s Ministry Building)
6 – 8 PM Evening Wagon Ride Board at Dorm 5 Porch
7 – 9 PM Game Night Dining Hall. Board games available – or bring your own!
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12th
7:30 – 8:30 AM Continental Breakfast at the Dining Hall. $7 for adults, $5 for children.
10:30 – 11:30 Worship Service: Dining Hall. Message by Micah Yarger. Worship by R.H.O.D.E.S.
Reserve Lodging at Applefest
Stop by the Camp Office to reserve lodging!
APPLEFEST SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES!
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 on our sponsorship board during the event. Anonymous donations are also welcome. Thank you for your support!
Special Events at Applefest
Cornhole Tournament
Saturday, October 11, at 4:00 pm – at the Basketball Court (rain plan: Children’s Building). Registration and Warmups open at 3:30 pm. Prizes awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-place teams. Double elimination tournament; spectators welcome!
*Cost: $20/team or $10/individual. Online registration closes on Thursday, the 9th. Walk-in registrations are welcome!
All proceeds benefit Mahaffey Camp Ministries. Thank you for your support!
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.
Art Workshop
Come enjoy a relaxing time of creativity with family and friends! Participants will receive step-by-step instructions from Corie Hartsock to create their very own masterpiece. All proceeds benefit the camp’s year-round ministries.
Online Registration is closed. There are a few additional spots available if you call the office: at (814) 277-5544.
“Anything Apple” Baking Contest
Enter a homemade apple dessert in our 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!
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. Categories include ages 6 & under, 7-11, 12-18, and new in 2024: Family. Prizes will be awarded by 4 PM on Saturday.
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.
Food & Craft Vendors
During Applefest, we host crafters/artisans and food trucks on Saturday. The Crafters’ & Artisans’ Fair is open to handmade goods ONLY. Spots are highly limited for both crafter vendors and food vendors, and may be selected to provide a variety of goods available.