Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest: Schedule, Vendors

CHICAGO — The Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest is back and longer than ever before — this year's 31st annual event has extended its hours to accommodate the festival's growing popularity. The event will be held Oct. 6 - 7 on Lincoln Avenue between Lawrence and Eastwood.

Festival vendors will sell apples, apple cider, apple pies and many other apple treats. The festival will include chef demos, live music and a pooch costume contest at the Lawrence Avenue Music Stage.

The festival will also feature family-friendly activities, including sing-alongs, magicians, story-time and Ninja Warriors at the Leland Avenue Kids Zone.

Festival hours:

• Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Festival admission: Suggested donation of $5, which will support beautification projects in Lincoln Square and Ravenswood. A portion of money raised will also benefit several community non-profits.

Saturday events:

• 10 a.m. - 11:15am: 8th Annual Pooch Costume Contest, by Urban Pooch Canine Life Center (Click HERE to register now)

Giddings Gourmet chef demonstrations will show how to make fall favorites:

• 12 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. – Bistro Campagne: Chef Mark Sabbe - How to make a French classic: Apple Tarte Tatin
• 1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. – Café Selmarie: Chef Ricky Sakoda - How to make BBQ pulled pork with celery root-apple slaw on a pretzel bun

• 3 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. – The Northman Cider Pub & Bistro: Cider Director Brian Rutzen - How to make hard cider at home

Sunday event:

Enter your best homemade apple pie in the Apple Pie Bake-Off, where local celebrity judges will award prizes to the top two entries.

Entertainment lineup:

Live music throughout the day at Lincoln & Lawrence Avenues

Saturday:

11:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. - The Friends Band, Variety of Genres
From top 40 current hits to popular jazz classics, the band is a popular staple at many local events.
3 p.m. - 5 p.m. - Los Perros Cubanos, Cuban Latin
Los Perros Cubanos plays La Musica Cubana from the 1940's to today. Lead vocalist and acoustic guitarist Roger Sosa is a first generation Cuban American, who uses music to blend his cultural history with his American experience.
6 p.m. - 8 p.m. - Jonas Friddle, Indie Folk / Americana
Jonas Friddle and some of his frequent collaborators form a four-piece Americana folk rock band. Drawing from the deep well of American Roots music, they play his original songs alongside energetic arrangements of traditional songs on banjo, guitar, fiddle, bass, drums and trumpet.

Sunday:

10 a.m. - Noon - Steak House Mints, Orchestral Pop
The Mints play original music influenced by The Beatles, David Bowie, The Flaming Lips and Harpo Marx.
1 p.m. - 3 p.m. - The Flat Cats, Swinging Jazz and Blues
The Flat Cats, based in Chicago, play a range of vintage and modern music rooted in swinging jazz and blues, contemporary classics and timeless standards. The group is comprised of six talented musicians with years of performing, arranging, and composing experience.
4 p.m. - 6 p.m. - Tijuana Hercules, Swampy Blues
Tijuana Hercules is a Chicago-based swamp blues combo that's found musical inspiration in boogie, north Mississippi hill country blues and hard bop. Tijuana Hercules has released a handful of critically praised recordings.

Also on Sunday - Giddings Plaza features Old Town School of Folk Music teaching artists.

• 12:15 p.m. - 1 p.m. - Liz Klassen, Rock-Infused Folk & Jazz-Infused Rock n' Roll
• 1:15 p.m. - 2 p.m. - Geoff Dolce, Indie Folk meets Garage Rock
• 2:15 p.m. - 3 p.m. - Gros Ngolle Pokossi, Afro/Jazz/Pop
• 3:15 p.m. - 4 p.m. - Jacob Sweet, Acoustic Guitar/Vocals
• 4:15 p.m. - 5 p.m. - Mike Drassler, Picker Extraordinaire
• *times subject to change

Festival vendors:

Farmers:

• Mick Klug Farm, Apples and Apple Cider
• Phil Foster Farm, Apples, Apple Cider, Jams, Honey, Pumpkins, Gourds, Grapes and Veggies
• John Bailey Honey, Honey, Jams, Jellies, Pickled Items, Candles, Maple Syrup

Specialty merchant food vendors:

• Amy's Candy Bar, Caramel Apples, Caramel Apple Bars, Brownies & Blondies, Apple Cider Caramels, Caramel Apple Ice Cream Sandwiches
• Hilary's Cookies, Apple Pie Cookies, Apple Maple Bacon Granola Bites, Mini Cookie Crust Apple Pies
• Lawrence Hall, Apple Butter, Apple Jelly, Apple Fritters
• Martinelli's, celebrating 150th anniversary with Sparkling Cider, Apple Juice

Retail merchant vendors:

• Amadara, Unique and Eclectic Handcrafts
• Andean Artisans, Alpaca Blankets & Scarves, Teapots, Hats
• Climate Home, Children & Adult Gift Shop
• Edgewater Candles, Handmade Soy Candles
• ENJOY, AN URBAN GENERAL STORE, Eclectic Novelty Shop
• Genevieve, Women's Apparel & Accessories
• Karma Neutral Ceramics, Ceramic Art & Pottery
• Mainstream Boutique, Women's Clothing & Accessories
• Nomadic Ant, Jewelry & Leather Goods
• Ruff Haus Pets, Pet Treats & Toys
• Sacred Art, Local Chicago Art, Housewares, Jewelry & Accessories
• Search Inc / Planet Access Co. Store, Glassware, Candles, Housewares
• Sfizi, Unique, High end European Shoes
• Timeless Toys, Games,Toys & Crafts
• Tori Grace Outfitter's, Children's Clothing & Accessories
• Uncle Dan's, Outdoors Apparel & Gear
• Urban Pooch Canine Life Center, Pooch Toys & Treats

Promotional vendors:

• Andrew Harrell Real Estate
• Chiro One Wellness
• Community Christian Church
• Comprehensive Chiropractic and Wellness
• European Wax Center
• Great Clips - Lincoln Square
• Lincoln Square Psychic Crystal Shop
• North Park Elementary
• One River School of Art+Design
• Orange Theory Fitness
• Power Home Remodeling
• Rogers Park Montessori School
• Saint Matthias School
• SMG McFetridge Sports Center
• Spark Montessori
• The Getaround
• The Guesthouse Hotel
• Tutor Doctor
• Wintrust Bank - Ravenswood

For a complete list of restaurant vendors and the kids zone schedule, click here.

Leading up to Apple Fest, residents are invited to join in the game "Where’s Corey?" by locating “Corey the Apple” at participating neighborhood business locations. Click here for the game's entry form.

Top photo: Miguel Villagran / Staff / Getty Images Europe