Food, vendors and parking details

DOVER — The 41st annual Apple Harvest Day will be held Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the heart of downtown, offering food, fun activities, 300 vendors and entertainment.

“It’s just a great community event,” said Doug Glennon, local merchant and co-owner of Jewelry Creations.

“It’s one of the biggest events on the Seacoast,” said Margaret Joyce, president of the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce.

Free to attend and presented by the chamber, the festival boasts everything from pottery to jewelry to dog accessories, organizers said in a recent interview. Organizers expect a crowd of about 60,000 to attend. The event is held rain or shine.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Apple Harvest Day 2025, including a significant parking change from past years:

Remote parking solely at Liberty Mutual campus

Joyce said this year remote parking and shuttle service for the event will be exclusively at the former Liberty Mutual campus. The shuttle, free of charge, will be located in the first lot upon taking a left on Liberty Way from Sixth Street, Joyce said. Guests can park anywhere on the campus.

Parking with shuttle service was previously offered on the city’s South side, but not this year.

“We think it’ll be easier and cleaner for people,” said Joyce, citing confusion in the past about which bus to get on to get to the festival. The plan to have all off-site parking in one place aims to improve the shuttle service.

In the festival area downtown, cars need to be off the roads at 8 a.m. day of for the event. Roads closed include part of Central Avenue downtown, Henry Law Avenue, First Street and Third Street.

Apple pie contest

11 a.m.-noon at the Rotary Arts Pavilion Stage at Henry Law Park

Think you have the best apple pie recipe and want to share it? Amateur bakers can submit their apple pies to be sampled and judged, typically, by well-known faces, such as Mayor Bob Carrier, who has previously participated as contest judge. The contest is presented by radio station WOKQ-FM 97.5.

There are two divisions pie bakers can register for: adults, and youth.

5k Road Race aims to be more sustainable in 2025

The 17th annual Apple Harvest Day 5K is expected to draw hundreds of runners, said Joyce. It’s open to experienced runners, beginners and families. The race on the USATF-certified course will start at 8:30 a.m. on St. Thomas Street, and wind along many city streets, including Rutland Street and Cataract Avenue.

Joyce said the road race aims to be more sustainable this year, partnering with HydraPak to provide reusable cups for runners, replacing paper cups. The cups are made out of compressible material. Runners can compact the cups and put them in a backpack, hold them, or hook it onto themselves.

Runners can pre-register for the race online. Registration by Sept. 30 at 3 p.m. costs $30 online for ages 21 and over, and $25 online for people under 21. After pre-registration, the cost for 21 and over increases to $40, and $35 for those under 21. For runners 21 and over, two complimentary beverages from North Country Hard Cider will be provided. Non-alcoholic sparkling cider will also be an option.

Family respite and calm room

9-4p.m. Waldron Court

The family respite area and calm room is an area where kids can “reset,” said Joyce, hosted by Twenty-One Senses and sponsored by Rotary Club of Dover. It’s a way to be more “inclusive,” said Joyce, and is for those with neurodiversity issues. It will lend out headphones and have hands-on activities such as fidget spinners. The family respite area will also include a lactation area, diaper changing and an area to sit down.

“If a child or a person of any age is feeling overstimulated, or needs a minute to take a breath, they can step into the calm room,” Joyce previously said.

Kidzone in Lower Henry Law Park

Lower Henry Law Park will offer many attractions for kids.

Dover Children’s Home runs the Kidzone and does a fundraiser, said Joyce. Bouncy houses, slides and a “roaming railroad” will be available. Wildlife Encounters will provide a chance to see animals. Touch-a-truck will also offer be offered, complete with fire trucks and construction vehicles, along with the Children’s Museum offering Cochecho Kids Club activities.

Music and entertainment

Performances will be held at two stages: one at the Rotary Arts Pavilion Stage at Henry Law Park, and at the Cocheco Courtyard. Local community bands and performances will be held at Lower Henry Law on the Rotary Arts Pavilion Stage, said Joyce. Here’s the lineup:

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Rotary Arts Pavilion Stage, Henry Law Park

9-9:30: Dover High School band

9:30-10: Seacoast Men of Harmony

10-10:30: McDonough-Grimes Irish Dance

10:30-11: Rochester Opera House

11-noon: WOKQ – Apple Pie Contest

12:15-1: Sole City Dance

1-1:45: Curtain Call Performing Arts Academy

1:45-2:30: Garrison Players Youth Troupe

2:30-3:15: Belletete Ballet Studio

3:15-4: TBD

9 a.m- 4 p.m. Cocheco Courtyard

Schedule to be announced.

Two food courts

Apple Harvest Day will feature two foods courts, said Joyce, one located at Lower Henry Law, the other on Third Street. There are many food vendors with a range of offerings, from international cuisine to sweet treats. While there are vendors who are providing goods, it will be different this year now that Harvey’s Bakery & Coffee shop has closed. Many vendors with handcrafted food items will also be featured at the event, offering products such as honey to gourmet cupcakes and macarons.

Here’s what’s on the menu: