Franklin Grove Summer Harvest Festival – Franklin Grove, Illinois
The festival was founded in 1980. The harvest of the Whitney #20 crab apple occurs in the first part of August. The apple was developed in an orchard south of town, over 100 years ago, where there still stands the mansion of the Whitneys who owned the orchard. The Franklin Grove Historical Society used this “apple harvest” as a reason for a celebration of the past. This celebration has grown into an event that is looked forward to by many people in the North Western part of Illinois.
The 2011 Festival is on August 5,6,+7. On Friday it starts with town wide rummage sales (over 50) which continues through Sunday. On Saturday there are many attractions. An art show with over $500.00 worth of prize money. Antique equipment show with field demonstrations and other operating devices, south of town in a huge field area of many acres. The Chaplin Creek Historical area south of town has a fiber fair, wild west show, pioneer village, muzzle loaders, Blue Rass & Folk music, kettle corn and much more. New this year is a Semi truck show & bean bag tournament. At 7:00 p.m. there is a large parade. After the parade a free movie in the park.
Sunday has all of the above mentioned plus an all age kickball tournament. At 6:30 p.m. there are closing activities in the park with music and presentations.
There are many places to eat along with an excellant restaurant having home cooking.
If you enjoy good old fashioned fun and you do not want to spend a lot of money then this is an event that fits you. Franklin Grove is located on Route 38, 9 miles east of Dixon IL. 50 miles south of Rockford IL. and 100 miles west of Chicago.
Contact: Scott Spangler, Village TRustee/Harvest Committee Chairman
Phone: 815-456-2695
Email: spangler338@comcast.net