ITHACA, N.Y. (WENY) -- A big fall tradition is back this weekend in downtown Ithaca. People filled the Ithaca Commons on Saturday afternoon for the 42nd Annual Apple Harvest Festival.

The fall kickoff event is widely known in the area for bringing great food, performances, and things to shop for all in one spot. It is always a uniquely traditional experience year after year.

"Apple Fest happens every year," said Adam Ibrahim, a child attending and lending a helping hand at Apple Fest. "There's a lot of commotion, a lot of different faces, so yeah, it's fun."

Ibrahim, works alongside his parents, the owners of Adam Grill, at the festival. Being from the area, Ibrahim is a regular at the annual event and, he is not the only one that recognizes its importance.

"This is so unbelievably special and important to this community and it is so evident in what they do," said Olivia Celenza, an attendee and Ithaca College student. "It is evident in the people that they bring in the food places that they have. It's all local, it's all homegrown. The apple cider donuts alone are something that you need to stop by and see, and you really will not get this experience anywhere else."

Littletree Orchards was instrumental in the creation of the Apple Harvest Festival and has worked the event since the first time it was held. Now, they are one of over 200 local vendors at the event, making the festival's most popular product, apple cider donuts. Each year they make between 7,000 to 12,000 donuts for eagerly waiting guests.

"I'm really grateful that there's still a fair number of local farms here, really showcasing all the amazing agriculture that we have here and local artisans and local food vendors, and it's just a really beautiful example of the community coming together and having this huge festival in the downtown that's well known and, yeah, we're happy to be a part of it," said Amara Steinkraus, the orchard manager at Littletree Orchards.

As Apple Fest hits year 42, small changes are continuing to be made to make the festival bigger and better than ever, including a layout change this year. However, the traditions remain the same which is great for the estimated 80,000 to 100,000 people that attend each year.

  Downtown Ithaca Alliance Website

 Photo Credit: Downtown Ithaca Alliance

"You know, I think it's tradition for folks at this point after this many years, we do hear that a lot of the college students choose this weekend to come back, especially from Ithaca College," said Nan Rohrer, the CEO of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance.

The Downtown Ithaca Alliance organizes this festival each year as well as many others that take place in the Ithaca Commons each year. This also includes the Chili Cook-Off, Ice and Lights Festival, and more.

These events are a big draw to the younger population in Ithaca and the surrounding area, especially college students. Some Ithaca College students, like Celenza, say Apple Fest is a tradition they look forward to at the beginning of each fall season.

"I love the beginning of fall, and I feel like with Apple Fest, you see everyone you know from your school, and like families and friends, and you just see everyone kind of come together and it's just such a beautiful community of people, just beginning to show off their food, their culture," said Carolina Cedraschi, an attendee and another Ithaca College student. "It's just a really beautiful way to have a nice, fun time downtown."

There is still a little bit of time left to join in on the autumn fun. Sunday, September 29 is the last day of this year's Apple Harvest Festival celebration. The event begins at 10:00 A.M. and goes until 6:00 P.M. and it's free for people of all ages to attend.

More information on the event can be found on the Downtown Ithaca Alliance's website.