National Apple Harvest Festival, Gettysburg

Drove from our home in western PA to go to this Apple Festival -- Each fall we make a trip for apples - have gone to Virginia, to Erie, to Cortland, New York - Always a highlight of our fall. This year we decided to come to this as our big trip. From the beginning, ( We were part of that several mile long traffic jam waiting to get into town -- no, NOT an exaggeration) finally got parked -- waited in line for the bus --- only to witness people trying to jump line claiming to be handicapped -- shame on you with the grey top and your husband! -- then when the buses started to pick up the folks halfway back instead of those of us who had waited our turn -- well we should have given up then --- BUT NO, we stuck it out. The buses were way short for the amount of people -- but what the heck, we were here for the NATIONAL APPLE FESTIVAL, right?? Well --- let me tell you --- fianlly got to the festival -- couldn't wait to buy our apples --- my gosh they had to have ALL Kinds of apple, right?..it was THE National Apple Festival.....paid our admission....started looking around.....where are all the apples???....pork sandwiches...scarecrows....steam machinery.......country music.....crafts...crafts...crafts.... but WHERE ARE THE APPLES......cider....apple jelly....but not one bushel of cortlands, Ida Reds, Macintosh....not even a Granny Smith......... shame on you!!!!......what a tourist trap!.....Oh and by the way.....yeah it was real cute to have the paths labeled with apple names. can you please spell them right??? ... CORTLAND...NOT COURTLAND --- geeesh!......OK we were totally unhappy.....oh but the best is yet to come.....try getting to heck outta there.....your bus system is pathetic...... SO poorly organized......and only small bags of very overpriced apples were the only deal in town.....Please don't lead people here in any hopes of a TRUE apple festival....and a national one at that. When we finally got back to our car, we were horrified --- the line of cars waiting to get into town was even longer.....what a slap in the face of Americanna.

Took an hour of waiting in poorly marked lines before we finally were able to board a bus that would take us back to our parking lot. Very hot sun and many unhappy people in the lines. Many people waiting in the wrong lines due to poor signage. Many of the busses marked "M" for the parking lot we were heading to, were actually loaded with people waiting for the "W" parking lot. So many people in the multiple Queue's and so much confusion. Very disorganized. Otherwise the day was enjoyable...until it was time to leave.

Horrible traffic management. Took 50 min to get from Arendtsville to the Wolff parking area. Not enough help in the parking area to direct you, no assitance for handicap or what to do if traveling with an older person to get closer. Asmission is way to high. Then stood in line over an hour to ride a bus back to parking area. Never again

I love the apple harvest we have been going for years but with the economy the way it is a lot of us couldn't afford to go this year.

I love this event! It is always great meeting new people and have them come into my stand to smell my soaps! It is an old fashioned event for all ages! I love to take a break to see the other hand made crafts! My stand is called Cindy's Herbal Soaps, LLC. Stop by and say hi!

Parking is not close to the festival, but FREE busses run regularly from the fields where they park you. (Ask and they'll direct you to close handicapped parking.) My daughters and I go every year and it is always a great day. We try not to eat anything that isn't made with apples. There are always new crafts to check out. It's not so big that you are worn out before you see everything. Always a great fall event! Stop at Hollabaugh's Orchard on the way home and pick your own apples (expensive) or choose from bins of all types of apples (reasonable)!!

My father and my family go every year. The apple cider is the best, the fried turkey legs, funnel cake, apple sausage, apple butter, apple crisp mix, I could on and on. The price to get in may be considered high for some but much cheaper than the state fairs throughout PA. You pay $8 per person over 12 or 13. Not bad, the little ones get in for free, you park in a field and received bus transportation to the festival. We can't complain, it is one of the few low priced family activities left in the U.S. Cheaper than the movies to get in and a more thrilling and memorable experience. The pictures, memories and taste last a lifetime. My kids will always have the apple harvest festival, it really sets the mood for the fall season. Thanks dad for showing me part of the joy of being from Pennsylvania. -Tink

We have been going to this festival for the last 8 years and it is something we look forward to year after year. There is something for all ages to do and the food is great. If you have never been, youre missing out.

my husband and I were actually in town for a wedding when the first weekend of the 2006 festival was going on. We decided to attend on Sunday. It was great. We had a very nice time. There was everything apple that you could imagine. Apple daquiri, homemade aplle butter, Apple cider, and of course we pruchased fresh picked apples that made excellent apple pies and delicious fried apples! We do plan on attending this year too!

We found the place litterally by accident last year. We had a blast and cannot wait to go this year or even next. The food was awesome and the atmosphere was even better. You could really tell that you were out in the country.