The 76th Apple Festival begins; Apple Grower of the Year announced at opening ceremony
HENDERSONVILLE — The 76th annual Apple Festival opened Sept. 2 in downtown Hendersonville, as Main Street was filled with people enjoying fair weather, fried goods and especially local apples.
The opening ceremony, usually held in the morning, was changed to late afternoon this year and turned out to be a hit. After announcements and recognition of several city and county leaders, the biggest announcement of all was saved for last, as United Community Bank's Fair Nabors Waggoner revealed the 2022 Apple Grower of the Year, Rick Moss, who owns Moss Farms with his father, Keith.
Since Rick Moss joined his dad in 1982, he purchased 42 additional acres of land and planted more than 6,000 apple trees.
More: Here's what to know for the 76th annual North Carolina Apple Festival
"It is always cool to note that Henderson County is the seventh-largest apple-producing county in the U.S.," Waggoner said. "This award honors our apple growers and is the reason we are here... to celebrate who is at the core of it all. I want to give you a little more information about this year's award recipient. This farm family has now spanned five generations. Doc Moss, the recipient's great grandfather, planted one of Henderson County's first apple orchards in 1903. This farm has almost doubled in size and is now just around 100 acres."
Waggoner said that one nominee said that not only was Moss a leader in agriculture, but he was also a leader in the community.
"I could go on and on, but now I want to introduce to you another home-grown treasure, the 2022 Apple Grower of the Year, Rick Moss of Moss Farms," she said.
Moss humbly accepted the award and when asked if he'd like to give a speech, he replied, "Nah. I'm good."
Several family orchards had their apples and apple products on full display, as the Festival kicked off with temperatures in the lower 80s throughout the day and into the evening. Justus Orchard has been coming to the Apple Festival for the past four years, and owner Cory Justus said he was happy with the first-day crowd.
"It's been great. It's been much more busier than normal Fridays at the Apple Festival," Justus Orchard Owner Cory Justus said.
His staff member Dane Rezentes agreed.
"It's great. I think it's good for the community. It brings in a lot of people to Hendersonville, and it's good for business," he said.
The Apple Festival runs through Monday, when it will be capped off with the King Apple Parade, which begins at 2:30 p.m. on Labor Day, Sept. 5.
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: 76th Apple Festival begins: 2022 Apple Grower of the Year announced
