Parade Application
You are welcome to be a part of the North Carolina Apple Festival King Apple Parade! The North Carolina Apple Festival King Apple Parade will be held Monday, September 1, 2025.
It is important that we put on an entertaining and engaging show for our attendees and visitors. We ask that you submit and decorate your unit accordingly (think apples!) and not only positively represent your group, but represent the pride and joy that flows from participating in one of our oldest community events.
Non-profits are invited to lease a professionally designed float for half price! For only $300, your non-profit can cruise down main street on a professional float. Commercial entries are also welcome to apply for a professional float for $600. The festival will contact you to arrange your float.
Thank you to our Parade Sponsor:
2025 Update: Please read the Rules and Regulations before submitting the application.
If you wish to participate in the parade, please submit your application (link above) and fees no later than Monday, August 25, 2025.
Fees can be mailed to:
North Carolina Apple Festival
P.O. Box 886
Hendersonville, NC 28792
or dropped at our office located at 318 North Main Street, Suite 15 (below Black Bear Coffee Shop) in downtown Hendersonville.
KING APPLE PARADE LINE-UP - KEEP SCROLLING
Remember that we host a “Family Friendly” Parade. No inappropriate signage or displays will be allowed.
Please carefully read the information below on line-up and staging information for the King Apple Parade.
Where to line-up:
- Professional Floats – You’ll line up on Highway 25
- Numbers 1-51 – Lineup along Oakland Avenue
- City & VIPs – Meet at the VFW
Where to drop-off:
- Professional Floats – Drop off at SAV-MOR and walk down Highway 25 (it will be closed).
- Numbers 1-51 – Drop off at Bearcat Boulevard (near HHS). You can access Bearcat Boulevard from Fleming Street. You may not drive down Oakland. You can also drop off at 64 & Oakland or Highway 25.
- City & VIPs – Meet at the VFW
If you have an A or B listed as part of your entry number this is what it means: Each spot is 60 feet. If you have an A you need to pull into the front of the entry space; and if you have a B you need to pull into the back part of the entry space.
- All entries must be in the line-up no later than 1:00 pm.
- If you are bringing an RV, a truck or a tow behind trailer you must be in your space no later than 12:30 pm.
- Remember: No enclosed box trucks or trailers allowed.
- If you have rented a professional float they should arrive around 1:00 pm.
- Remember: No throwing out candy, etc. You may hand out candy or materials.
- Attention youth groups: it is not a bad idea to set an area for the parents to drop off their kids and then walk them to the line-up area. This will prevent traffic tie-ups along the parade marshaling area.
- Please do not call the Apple Festival office during the festival for information. The website has all the information regarding the parade.