WESTMINSTER, SC — The 48th South Carolina Apple Festival begins Thursday. It will feature baking and cooking contests, along with arts, crafts, food vendors, children’s rides on Main Street.

THURSDAY

11 a.m. Judging begins for the Apple Baking Contest

6 p.m. JAMbalaya at Barrett-Jones Building, Main Street

Eddie Martin’s World Famous Jambalaya will be served with bread, a drink and fried apple pies - $6 in advance, $7 at the door. Mike Eades and the Battle Creek Boys will provide free bluegrass entertainment. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the JAMbalaya! Proceeds will go toward renovations of the Barrett-Jones Building for the new satellite museum of the Oconee Heritage Center. Visit ww.oconeeheritagecenter.org or www.wahps.org.

FRIDAY

11 a.m. Arts, crafts, food vendors, children’s rides on Main Street

12:45 p.m. Westminster Rotary Club luncheon, Westminster Baptist Church

4:30 p.m. Apple Festival Parade, U.S. 123 to Main Street

8 p.m. Apple Festival Rodeo, Bibb Street Arena

SATURDAY

8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Registration for ‘Riding for Reading ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic Poker Run’ at West-Oak High School, West-Oak Highway (SC 24)

Cost: $25 for registration, $10 for extra hand

Contact: (864) 886-4400 ext. 1123 or 5814

Web site: www.oconee.k12.sc.us

8 a.m. Apple Festival road race

Arts, crafts, food vendors, children’s rides continue on Main Street

Classic car Cruise-In on U.S. 123 between Hardees and Post Office

Antique Mall and collectors’ booths on Main Street

Entertainment at Pavilion and West Main Street stage

8 p.m. Apple Festival Rodeo, Bibb Street Arena