The seed from which the celebration has grown was planted on a dreary, rainy night in March of 1953. A group of young men got together and suggestion that Chilhowie stage a festival paying tribute to the apple. At the time Chilhowie was the second largest apple-producing center in Virginia. Thus, plans and ideas were developed for the beginning of the Chilhowie Apple Festival. The apples may have come and gone, but the tradition still lives on in the small town in Smyth county Virginia.

The first Apple Festival was held on October 2 and 3, 1953 on the grounds of the old Chilhowie High School. Crowds, far larger than anticipated, attended that year’s events, and it was estimated that over 10,000 persons viewed the first parade.