49th annual Johnny Appleseed Festival returns to Fort Wayne this weekend

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - Summit City is keeping things traditional and backtracking into the 1800s.

Summit City's favorite festival, Johnny Appleseed Festival, makes it's way back to the Johnny Appleseed Park for the 49th year on Saturday, September 21-Sunday, September 22.

The two-day event is significant to bringing visitors a glimpse of experiences with no modern technology convenience.

Visitors are welcome to participate and experience crafts, food and family-friendly activities or entertainment.

Signature dishes include famous chicken and dumplings, caramel apple sundaes and homemade cornbread. The festival includes 49 food vendors over the weekend.

The biggest takeaway from the festival tailors around community involvement and giving back to people in need.

Festival Board of Directors said over 57% of their partners are non-for-profit organizations. Representation of local, small businesses are also set to return to the park grounds.

Community Harvest Food Bank is partnered with Johnny Appleseed for the second year in a row. The organization asks visitors to bring in cans of non-perishable food items to drop in bins located across the park.

There are over 200,000 visitors expected to attend this year. General admission is free for the public.

Parking is available in the Allen War Memorial Coliseum lot. A free shuttle is provided for attendees during the day picking-up and dropping-off from Purdue Fort Wayne parking lot.

People are welcome to ride bikes, canoe or kayak along the St. Joseph River.

Johnny Appleseed Festival opens their gates on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.