Fall Harvest Beckons Travelers to Adams County, PA

         As summer's heat fades into cooler days and chilly nights, Adams County -- Apple Country USA -- is overflowing with yet another bountiful harvest of the finest apples grown anywhere in the world.

         Although it is just a short drive from the Carlisle and Gettysburg Pike exits of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, a trip to Adams County is a trip back in time with quaint villages and festivals that recall America's agricultural past.

         In Adams County apples are everywhere. In fact more than five million bushels of America's favorite fruit are harvested in this one county alone. Everywhere you turn somebody is harvesting, selling -- or eating apples!

         It should come as no surprise that the National Apple Museum can be found in Biglerville, Adams County. There are gallery displays, videos, guided tours and, of course, plenty of apples to eat at the National Apple Museum. There is an historic country store and quilt display. You can even find entertainment in the form of the Apple Core Band and the National Apple Museum Dance Band.

         Although there is something to do throughout the harvest season in the "land of apples," the highlight of the year is the National Apple Harvest Festival held at the South Mountain Fairgrounds in Arendtsville, PA.

         This year, the National Apple Harvest Festival will be held the weekends of October 5-6 and October 12-13 from 9 A.M. until 6 P.M. daily. There will be continuous free entertainment, steam engine and pony rides and craft demonstrations. There will be plenty of food featuring, of course, apples! There will be apple pancakes, apple desserts, candied apples, apple cider, applesauce, apple jellies, apple butter, candied apples and just plain apples for eating.

         Throughout the autumn season, or anytime throughout the year, you might want to take the Adams County Scenic Valley Tour. This is a drive-it-yourself tour that features both apple country and some of historic Gettysburg's more famous sites. A brochure detailing the tour can be obtained from the Gettysburg Travel Council at 35 Carlisle Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325.

         And, while you're in the area, you may want to spend some time at the Gettysburg National Cemetery, site of one of the Civil War's most famous battles. Each year, on November 19th, an observance and memorial service is held at the battlefield to make the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Address.

         Even after all the leaves have fallen from the trees and the last apple has been harvested there is still plenty to do in Adams County. The Gettysburg Yuletide Festival is held the first and second weekend in December and includes tours of decorated homes, a live nativity scene, holiday dessert tasting and a candlelight walking tour. President Dwight D. Eisenhower's home is also decorated and open for tours during the holiday season.

         If you plan to travel the Pennsylvania Turnpike to Apple Country USA, contact the Gettysburg/Adams County Chamber of Commerce for maps, guides and informational brochures. Written inquiries should be directed to the chamber at 3 York Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325 or by calling (717) 334-8151.

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