Pumpkins, apples, leaves falling, scarf and boot season…these are a few of my favorite things! I love autumn and what better way to kick it off than at the Appel Happel Apple Fest in Mainz!

Coming from the North East of the USA, going to a farm and having fresh squeezed cider at the end of September is very fond tradition for me. Luckily we have Appel Happel in Mainz where we can celebrate the beginning of another crisp golden autumn.

This wonderful apple orchard has a great store to buy fresh vegetables, fruit, wines and you guessed it, a lot of apples. You can even sample the different types of apples that will you buy for either eating whole or for baking.

After shopping for home items, it was time to eat! The best selection was the homemade apple, pear and plum cakes! So for this fest we made an exception and had dessert first. After that we went to the tent and had some German sausages on bread.

This was such a wonderful kid friendly fest with so much for them to do. Located in the back of the fest was 2 big bouncy castles and the very popular pony rides.

Most likely my daughters favorite treat of the day (or year) was the make your own chocolate covered apples!

Adjacent to the fest was where the apple orchards start and you are able to get a wagon or bring your own bag and start picking! Some of my earliest childhood memories are of filling up my own bucket of apples in the orchard. The apple and pear orchards are so well kept here, even if you aren’t picking that day, it still makes for a lovely walk through the trees.

What to do with all of the apples?

Below is a yummy recipe for German Apple Cake very similar to the cake I had at the fest. Lecker!

http://www.marthastewart.com/343813/german-apple-cake

Address:

Marienborner Bergweg 33, 55127 Mainz, Germany  (Parking is located along the street).

Happy autumn, everyone! Here I am wearing my apple hat that was knitted with love by my Nana.

Author’s Profile: Gemma is a mom, a veteran and an Army civilian living in Wiesbaden, Germany. With New Jersey roots, she is enjoying her extended European vacation.

Featured Image Photo Credit: © Gemma