Apples have their day a season early in Henderson County, thanks to the brand-new Apple Country Cider Jam.
Henderson County’s apple blossoms are new on the trees — the season’s first harbinger of the orchard bounty to arrive later in the fall. Just as craft-beer festivals have certainly had their day in the WNC sun, it’s time now to appreciate the wealth of hard cideries that have sprung up the last couple years, a natural outgrowth of Henderson County’s top cash crop. On Saturday, April 22, Bold Rock Cider, along with Flat Rock Cider Works, 1898 Waverly Inn Hard Cider, Burntshirt Vineyards, and many other cider-pressing establishments, pour their product at the First Annual Apple Country Cider Jam on South Main Street in Hendersonville. The ticket includes tastings, a souvenir cup, and entertainment provided by Balsam Range, winner of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s “Entertainer of the Year” award in 2014.
“We have world-class cider being produced right here,” says Mark Williams, executive director of Agribusiness Henderson County, the event organizer. The Cider Jam, he says, “kicks off the whole season of apple production. It coincides with the [apple trees] in full bloom and promotes a product that can be enjoyed year round.”
He praises the “unique growing area” of the county. “[We] produce some of the most flavorful apples anywhere in the world. Those apples lead to good quality ciders, as well, and we want the population around us to know that.”
1-6pm. $30/day of event ($25/advance at eventbrite.com). For more information, call 800-828-4244, 828-693-9708, or see visithendersonville.com/ciderjam.