GREENE – Throughout the year, the Ball flats in the Village of Greene plays host to its share of summer festivities, but come the last Saturday in September – and for the last 29 consecutive years – the park receives its annual shot of apple “everything,” thanks to the Greene Applefest.

Beginning around 6:30 a.m., more than 100 food craft vendors from near and far will begin pulling into downtown Greene to set up shop for the day – hours prior to the much anticipated “Breakfast on the Ball Flats,” serving an in impromptu check-in.

From there, the inciting aroma of apple butter, fritters, cider and pie mingle with the sights and sounds of early fall in upstate.

The family oriented one-day event easily draws crowds in excess of 10,000-15,000 and is sponsored by the Greene First United Methodist Church.

According to Commerce Chenango President Steve Craig, events like the Greene Applefest are the backbone of tourism in Greater Chenango County.

“Event based tourism thanks to events like Greene's Applefest, Labor Day Picnic and Annual Craft Fair make up a substantial portion of high-impact revenue that is in upwards of $1 million dollars annually,” said Craig.