Apple Festival - A Celebration of Local Food & Bear-Aware Living in NW Montana
Become an Apple Festival Vendor
This is the busiest day of the year at the Troy Farmers Market, a beloved fall event. Past festivals have drawn 900+ visitors from across Lincoln, Sanders, and Flathead counties, plus Boundary County, Idaho.
Apple Festival vendors join an expanded market lineup alongside our regular farmers and loyal vendors. One can expect apple-inspired treats, fresh cider, abundant local produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, and and so much more.
With live music, the Apple Pie Bake-Off, and the Bear Fair drawing crowds throughout the day, vendors can be assured that there's no shortage of potential customers and interested community members stopping to linger at your booth.
Whether you're a regular market vendor or joining us for the first time, the Apple Festival is a great way to reach new people and be part of Troy's signature community event.
Bear Fair & Education
The Apple Festival is also a Bear Fair, and that's by design. Each autumn, Lincoln county’s unpicked apple trees are a big draw for hungry bears, which makes this the perfect season to talk about coexisting safely with our wild neighbors.
Throughout the day, festival-goers can take part in bear-aware activities including bear-safe demonstrations, bear spray training, and games for kids. Completing these activities earns free entry into our bear-safe raffle, with prizes that have included bear spray belts, bear spray, and bear-proof food canisters and trash cans.
In past years the Bear Fair has been offered in partnership with the Yaak Valley Forest Council, Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, and the U.S. Forest Service, these organizations work year round to help people and wildlife share the landscape safely.
A well-informed community means fewer conflicts with our bear population, which also means safer homes, gardens, and fruit trees.
Volunteer With Us
The Apple Festival runs on generous people. Every year, volunteers make the difference between a good event and a great one. Their efforts include setting up, breaking down, keeping the apple press going, baking & judging pies (with the seriousness that pie deserves) and everything in between.
If you'd like to be part of the crew that makes this happen, we'd love to have you!
Volunteer opportunities include:
Event set-up & take-down
Apple press operation
Apple Pie Bake-Off judging & coordination
Apple pie donations for the contest
General event support throughout the day
No experience necessary, just a willingness to show up and dig in.
Reach out directly to our market manager:
📧 troymtfarmersmarket@gmail.com
📞 406.291.0979
WHAT SETS THIS EVENT APART
Apple Pressing & Fresh Cider
Bring your own gleaned apples or just come watch the press in action. Fresh-pressed cider is a festival tradition and pressing local fruit helps keep bears and other wildlife out of unharvested trees come fall.
The Apple Pie Bake-Off
Home bakers from across the area compete for top honors in our annual pie contest. Flaky crusts, perfect spice, and a little friendly competition. Come taste your way through the entries or enter one of your own.
Bear Fair & Safety Education
Hands-on demonstrations, bear spray training, and kids' activities make wildlife safety approachable and fun with a raffle prize waiting for everyone who participates.
