Crowd grows for 2026 Apple Blossom Festival

ATTENDANCE INCREASES — The Taylorsville Apple Blossom Festival on May 2, 2026, has increased in attendance as word of the spring festival has spread. It was introduced in the past decade to complement the fall Apple Festival, held the third Saturday in October each year.

A FAMILY AFFAIR — Many local families attended the Taylorsville Apple Blossom Festival on May 2. Above, Josh, River, and Melinda Mitchell were among attendees at the annual event.

LIVE MUSIC AT FESTIVAL — Local and regional bands provided live music during the Taylorsville Apple Blossom Festival on May 2. Above, Rhapsody Praise sang during the festival on the Gospel Stage.

CHAINSAW ARTIST DONATES SERVICE TO FESTIVAL — Chainsaw artist Chris Markey, Jr., of Morganton, is shown above with assistant Corbin Landers (right) taking a turn on the saw. The pine log was donated by Fortner Lumber Company, Inc., of Hiddenite. Markey donated the carving to the town.

FINISHED BEAR — The chainsaw artwork created by Chris Markey May 2 during the 2026 Apple Blossom Festival was given a coat of paint on May 12 to accentuate its details, which show a black bear holding a red apple, with green hills and blue mountains on the edges, befitting Taylorsville, nestled in the Brushy Mountains. Markey has gifted the carving to the Town. Plans on final placement of the statue are being finalized.