Port Afron Harvest Festival

Sometimes called "Applefest", The Port Afron Harvest Festival is an annual carnival and fair hosted by the mayor and Council of Port Afron, a hub of agriculture in northeast Sedia. Once a small gathering designed to use up the last of the town orchid's apple supplies, the fair has become famous across the country and draws huge crowds each Autumn.

History

The Port Afron Harvest Festival had simple beginnings as a local tradition. Families would gather on the last weekend of Autumn to bring along and share the reminents of their harvest before the hardship of the winter. Usually, this involved fruit, local game, fish, honey and vegetables. Apples were the most important part of the tradition, because of the huge amounts of apples the orchards surrounding Port Afron produce, some of which can't be preserved in time for winter. Farmers from the surrounding farmland would mingle with townsfolk, barter preserved goods and share in fresh produce and cooked treats.

Eventually, this yearly tradition grew larger and larger, involving more and more participants. Local town councils began holding friendly competitions for the best produce. Over the years, the event has become an official, annual affair organised by the council and the mayor of Port Afron. The introduction of the Circular Railway allowed people a safer, more accessible way to travel to the festival. Each year, the Sedian Office of Transport organises the "Port Afron Express"; an express train with limited stops to bring people efficiently to and from the festival.

Competitions

The Port Afron Council and mayor run various shows and competitions during the festival, each winning monetary prizes and custom-made ribbons.

• Livestock Categories: Horses, chickens, goats, ducks, cattle, sheep, pigeons
• Animal Products: Honey, wool, eggs, furs and antlers
• Food and Drinks: Preserves, baked goods, ales, meads, ciders, oils, wine
• Woodchopping
• Sewing and handicrafts
• Art

Games and Entertainment

The Port Afron Harvest Festival is a large supporter of live music, theatre and performance, hosting performers for the entire two-day event.

The fair also hosts a square of carnival-style games such as shooting, apple bobbing, pig weighing and frog/sheep races. Children's events such as face-painting, pony rides and petting farms. On the night of the final day, there is a fireworks display signalling the end of the festival.

Market and Sales

The town square of Port Afron is used year-round as a market space for local vendors. During the festival, this practice continues, with both local and travelling vendors coming to share their wares. Speciality food producers, alchemists, toymakers, jewellers and artists are all common. Animal vendors are also common, with breeders of speciality livestock, dogs and cats selling their animals.

Apple Industry

Port Afron is the source of 82% of apple production in Sedia, and the orchards around the township are important to its success. The marketing of apples that takes place during the festival has lended it the nickname "Applefest"; a nickname sometimes used in advertising and marketing leading up to the event. Most decorations and clothing are apple-themed or at least apple-coloured. Fresh apples, cider, baked apple goods, candied whole apples and candied/sugared apple slices, dried apple and apple themed toys, art and trinkets are all important staples in the festival wares.