Apple Harvest Day: A Guide

posted on 10/5/2023

The 39th annual Apple Harvest Day festival takes over downtown Dover on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The family-friendly event features live entertainment, food, kids' activities, vendors, contests and more. The event is rain or shine. 

Apple Harvest Day 5k Road Race begins at 8:30 a.m.

Apple Harvest Day will continue its tradition of kicking off the Seacoast’s premier fall street festival with a 5k road race. The USATF certified course winds through historic downtown Dover and is perfect for advanced runners as well as beginners and families. Once you finish the race, be sure to stick around for some North County Cider. Each runner over the age of 21 will receive two complimentary beverages, with non-alcoholic apple cider available for minors.

Opening ceremonies, Rotary Arts Pavilion at 9 a.m.

Representatives from the City of Dover, Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce and event underwriter, First Seacoast Bank, will gather for the ceremonial “first bite” of an apple, kicking off the day. The Dover High School Marching Band finishes the Opening Ceremony with a rousing performance.

Apple Pie Contest, Rotary Arts Pavilion at 11 a.m.

Nothing screams Apple Harvest Day like an Apple Pie Contest. Hosted by 97.5 WOKQ, dust off your favorite family recipe and enter your pie on Saturday, Oct. 7. Amateur pie bakers can enter two divisions: Adults (16 years or older) and Youth (15 years or younger). Register online at https://ow.ly/XKN750PSbXO and bring your pie to Henry Law Park by 11 a.m.

Electric Vehicle Showcase, sponsored by Brueckner Group USA, from noon to 3 p.m.

The Dover Energy Commission is partnering with the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce to host an electric vehicle (EV) show on Saint Thomas Street, by the McConnell Center. Come explore a range of EVs from bikes to trucks at the show. Experts on EV charging will be on hand to provide information about installing residential and commercial charging stations.

Festival Information Center staffed by the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce

Located at the intersection of Washington Street and Central Avenue, snap a picture in the Apple Harvest Day Photo Frame, sponsored by Index Packaging.

Hydration Station

Refill water bottles at the Poland Springs hydration Station located at the intersection of Central Avenue and Third Street.

Cochecho Kid’s Club, sponsored by Northeast Credit Union, Top of Henry Law Park for ages 2-12

Located just outside the entrance of The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire on the new play patio, staff from the museum will have crafts, activities, and hands-on sensory tables for children. This is the perfect place for young kids to create, play, and have fun.

Kid Zone, sponsored by Kennebunk Savings, Lower Henry Law Park

Featuring inflatables, face painting, and a roaming train, and more! The Kid Zone has something fun for all ages!

Inflatable Fun

All day bounce wristbands: Kiddie City $8, Big Kids $12; Individual rides: $5. Bounce and play on numerous inflatables, the Kid Zone will keep youngsters busy for hours. The many activities include obstacle courses, slides, bouncy houses, and much more. All profits go to the Dover Children’s Home.

Roaming Train, sponsored by Martineau Electric

Children and their parents are welcome to ride around the exterior of Lower Henry Law Park on a miniature Thomas the Tank Engine train driven by Conductor Dan of the Roaming Railroad.

Wildlife Encounters, sponsored by Holy Rosary Credit Union

Now known as the “Wildlife Encounters Ecology Center & Farm School”, meet a variety of farm, pet and wild species of ambassador animals, hear their rescue stories and participate in an educational talk.

Touch a Truck, sponsored by Breezeline

Dover Community Services and Fire Department will showcase construction and fire protection vehicles for children to explore.

Family Fun Zone, sponsored by Bank of America

The NH Division of Children, Youth and Family’s Foster Care Program will offer spin art, sand art, and face painting while raising awareness about the state’s foster care program.

Waldron Court Stage at 388 Central Avenue, sponsored by SavATree

• 10 a.m. – Chris George
• 11 a.m. – Jonathan Booth
• 12 p.m. – Carol Corson
• 1 p.m. – David Corson
• 2 p.m. – Bob Moore
• 3 p.m. – Chris George

Rotary Arts Pavilion Stage, sponsored by Burns, Bryant, Cox, Rockefeller & Durkin, P.A.

• 9 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies
• 9:30 a.m. – Northeastern Ballet
• 10 a.m. – McDonough-Grimes Irish Dance
• 10:30 a.m. – UNH Theater Department
• 11 a.m. – WOKQ Pie Contest
• 12 p.m. – Garrison Players Youth Troupe
• 12:30 p.m. – Seacoast Men of Harmony
• 1 p.m. – Curtain Call Performing
• 1:30 p.m. – SNHUG
• 2 p.m. – Musical Arts of Dover
• 2:30 p.m. – Sole City Dance
• 3 p.m. – Extreme Air Jump Rope

Henry Law Park Food Court, sponsored by WIN Waste Innovations

• T & D Concessions
• Slush King
• Seacoast Street Eats
• Sonny Boy Ice Cream
• Sunrise Pointe Café & Occasions
• Bamee Restaurant Coffee
• Craving Shaved Ice LLC
• North End Food Court sponsored by Orpheum
• Wing-Itz
• Hong Asian Noodle Bar
• St. George Catholic Maronite Church
• Cotton Candy Skies
• Pro Scoops

Shuttle Information

Shuttle parking is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All shuttle parking is free of charge.

North End Shuttle Lot
Exit 9 off Route 16
C&J Park-n-Ride Lot
23 Indian Brook Drive
Dover, NH 03820

South End Shuttle Lot #1
Exit 7 off Route 16
279 Locust Street
Dover NH 03820

South End Shuttle Lot #2
Exit 7 off Route 16
118 Central Avenue
Dover NH 03820

The drop-off and pick-up location for all shuttle locations is on Washington Street in front of the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire.

Shuttle Providers:
Coast
Spring Village at Dover
St. Thomas Aquinas

Shuttle Lot Hosts:
C&J
Summit Land Development and Property Investment
Bruton & Berube PLLC

Vendors

Shop local merchants and crafters. For a list of participating vendors, visit: appleharvestday.com.