2019 entertainment headliners
Headlining the Nappanee Apple Festival entertainment will be Loop Rawlins, a “One Man Wild West” show that begins Friday, Sept. 20 at 6p.m. and runs through Sunday at 4 p.m. in one of three free entertainment stages.
Rawlins is one of the most versatile Western performers in the world today. His unique act of trick roping, whip cracking and fancy gun spinning has thrilled thousands of audiences.
Following the official opening of the festival on Thursday at 5 p.m., Blue River Jazz and Forever Gypsy (classic rock) take the two downtown free entertainment stages with performances at 5:30 pm. Kids and parents will be laughing at the antics of Granpa Cratchet and his puppet troupe during two shows at 6 and 8 pm. This ever-popular kid’s show will be making appearances through Sunday. At 7 p.m. take a seat in the Kountry Cabinets Entertainment tent at Depot Plaza and support the young ladies vying for Miss Apple Blossom scholarships and the crowning of the Festival Queen.
Friday festival goers will enjoy the highenergy comedy shows of Mike Hemmelgarn, juggler and ventriloquist with performances throughout the weekend. The day’s music genres include folk music with Adrienne Frailey, Mike Boo with acoustic soul, light classic rock with Exit 41, bluegrass with Silverstone and closing out Friday night will be a two and a half hour performance of variety music by Memphis Underground.
Also on Friday through Sunday is Silly Safaris, the leading provider of live animal conservation education in Indiana with over 3,000 inspiring shows every year throughout the United States. A Silly Safaris live animal show is the perfect blend of fact and fun and keeps the entire audience involved. A variety of reptiles, mammals, birds and bugs provide an experience everyone will remember.
Branded Bluegrass, Touch of Texas (classic country), Marty Miles (light rock), and Paul Erdman (variety) join Exit 41 to headline Saturday’s musical entertainment.
At 8 p.m. at the Depot Plaza stage, The Bulldogs, winner of the 2012 Whammy Award for best oldies performer, will entertain. This premier “Rock and Roll Oldies Band” plays the vintage music of the 50’s and 60’s and takes you back to the days of the sock hop and drivein movies. They have performed with such artists as The Beach Boys, Chubby Checker, Herman’s Hermits and Mike Smith of the Dave Clark Five, as well as featured performers on 17 Cruises throughout the Caribbean and Mexican Riviera.
Sunday performances by 1st Brethren Worship Team, NorthWood High School Music Dept., Heartland Country Cloggers, 2 Daves Gone (acoustic duo), and 1985 (variety) will close out the festival entertainment schedule.
Throughout the weekend there will be crates of fresh apples dotting the downtown sidewalks and plenty of opportunities to indulge in apple favorites like apple pie, apple dumplings, apple fritters, apple turnovers, apple bread, apple cider and apple butter. And it doesn’t stop there. There will be contests, tournaments and more attraction venues like the Farm Tractor & Antique Farm Equipment show all day Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Nappanee Power from the Past Showgrounds; plus the hour long Saturday morning parade and afternoon Wings, Wheels and Car Show at the Municipal airport.
This 44th annual event is one of Indiana’s top festivals. The festival is made possible through the financial support of local and area retail and corporate businesses, City of Nappanee employees, Nappanee Area Chamber of Commerce and a dedicated group of volunteers. Principal sponsors are Community Foundation of Elkhart County, Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Kountry Cabinets and Home Furnishings, CommunityFiber, Martin’s Supermarket, and WSBT.