In Crystal Lake, it isn’t cool crisp weather or the change of color in the leaves, but the annual Johnny Appleseed Festival that kicks off fall. This year was extra special as it marked the 30th anniversary of this crowd favorite. This year’s festival was full to the brim with fun, vendors, and entertainment.
Once again, downtown Crystal Lake made way for that famed traveler and storyteller, Johnny Appleseed. True to form, he had listeners sitting on the edge of their haybales.
If you missed the festival this year, we can’t deliver the fun, but we can at least show you a little of what you missed.
And if you want to continue down memory lane, be sure to check out these articles from previous years, including one of the very first ones we published in 2014, 2021, & 2023.
Address: Williams St & Brink St, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Northwest Highway band performing at the Johnny Appleseed Festival.
Northwest Highway band performing at the Johnny Appleseed Festival.
Northwest Highway band performing at the Johnny Appleseed Festival.
Wristband. Tickets. Don’t forget the apple cider donuts!
Wristband. Tickets. Don’t forget the apple cider donuts!
Wristband. Tickets. Don’t forget the apple cider donuts!
Johnny Appleseed making his entrance.
Johnny Appleseed making his entrance.
Johnny Appleseed making his entrance.
A different kind of “fall colors” to be had at the Johnny Appleseed Festival.
A different kind of “fall colors” to be had at the Johnny Appleseed Festival.
A different kind of “fall colors” to be had at the Johnny Appleseed Festival.
Aye matey!
Aye matey!
Aye matey!
Young pirates in training.
Young pirates in training.
Young pirates in training.
Big slide time.
Big slide time.
Big slide time.
The thrill of the big slide!
The thrill of the big slide!
The thrill of the big slide!
Animal Kingdom is just the right size for the younger festival goers.
Animal Kingdom is just the right size for the younger festival goers.
Animal Kingdom is just the right size for the younger festival goers.
Lined up and ready to go.
Lined up and ready to go.
Lined up and ready to go.
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President and Founder of Identity Developments, LLC, the parent company of the McHenry Life website. My hope for McHenry Life is to create a resource and destination for the residents and businesses of McHenry County alike. A place where residents can discover new places to explore, fun events and ways to spend time, and then share those experiences with others. A place where businesses can connect with existing and potential customers, and not simply market their businesses, but share their own unique stories.
