In 2012, the Olde Tyme Apple Festival in Versailles was named "Best Festival" in Rural Missouri Magazine's Reader's Choice Contest.
In its 36th year Saturday, the festival proved why it still holds that honor, with thousands of visitors in attendance for more than 20 different activities held throughout weekend.
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Cajun's Wharf New Year's Eve
Counting down to 2008...at a crowded Cajun's Wharf
This year's festival kicked off with its annual Apple Festival Musical, "Mary Poppins," opening Thursday night at the Royal Theatre in downtown Versailles. "Mary Poppins" has three additional productions scheduled for Thursday through Saturday at the historic theater.
Additional pre-festival activities started Friday with an apple pie baking contest, a car cruise and sock hop, Baby Dumplins Apple Tarts and Apple Dumplin' and Darlin' contests, and the crowning of the King and Queen of the festival.
Saturday featured popular Apple Festival events such as a pancake breakfast at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, the 5K and Super Senior 5K at Versailles High School, and hundreds of vendors and the Fun Zone, which boasted pony rides, bounce houses, face painting and other activities.
After a parade Saturday morning, the day featured an apple sculpture contest, apple pie baking contest auction, car show and a tractor and engine display, along with live music from Bourbon Street Band and a fiddler contest.
The first Olde Tyme Apple Festival in Versailles was in 1980 with a modest attendance and about 50 vendors. Since then, the festival has blossomed to become one of the largest and most well-attended festivals in Missouri.
2015 Old Tyme Apple Festival Photographs: