Fall break might be here and the temperatures might be dropping, but autumn never officially arrives here in Kendallville, Indiana until the first weekend of October. Why? Two words: Apple Festival.

Ever since 1986, the Apple Festival has come to the Noble County Fairgrounds every year. Although an “apple festival” might sound strange to outsiders, Kendallville’s has a ton to offer: food, games, entertainment, shops, crafts, and more—all of which can be found in a vividly old-fashioned environment. Vendors and shopkeepers alike can be seen wearing everything from outdated dresses to flannel shirts to Native American garb, and the piercing notes of a bagpipe are usually heard across various intervals.

In other words, the Apple Festival provides a unique experience that is both fun and nostalgic. For hundreds of locals, it’s a beloved tradition; for others, it’s completely unfamiliar. Regardless of where you stand in this spectrum, here are 10 things you should try to do at the 30th annual Apple Festival.

1. Actually go to it.

You definitely won’t regret this decision as long as the weather cooperates. This year the festival will be open on Saturday, October 3 from 9:00 PM to 6:00 PM and Sunday, October 4 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, so plan to go at some point with some friends or family members.

2. Buy some haystack fries from the East Noble band.

Everyone loves potatoes, especially when they’re baked and crispy and covered with cheese! Unless you hate cheese, but don’t worry; it’s optional. Proceeds help the band students cover certain expenses throughout the year. East Noble’s archery team also serves pork tenderloins at a separate location, so keep that in mind, too.

3. Eat practically anything that sounds good anywhere else.

Anyone who comes to the Apple Festival comes for the food. It features 38 food vendors this year. Boy Scout Troop #103 is selling pancakes and sausage with homemade apple syrup. St. John Lutheran School is selling apple fritters. Calvary United Methodist Church is selling warm chicken and noodles. You’re sure to find something you like.

4. Check out the shops and buy yourself a souvenir or two (or ten).

People come to the Apple Festival to do two main things: eat and shop. The shops can be found inside dozens of little white tents, in which you’ll find all kinds of knick-knacks and oddments. Want a wool blanket? Wooden shield? Raccoon hat? Jewelry? Ceramics? Marbles? Clogs? Pickaxes? Decorative miniature keys that serve no purpose whatsoever? Trust me, you’ll find them.

5. Visit the games area.

If you want to have a blast with a younger sibling or family member, take them to the games area. They’ll love you for it. Here kids can make their own candle out of wax, ride ponies, cross a rope bridge, and more. Even if you feel too old to really do anything over in this area, it’s still cool to check out.

6. See the East Noble Theatre in their yearly Raise-a-Ruckus show.

Each year they perform the same songs and dances, and each year they do an outstanding job. Both Saturday and Sunday will have five shows each: 10:45, 12:00, 1:15, 2:30, and 3:45. The cast will be joined by the Miss Indiana Teen both days and by Miss Indiana on Saturday.

7. Listen to a kid blow into one of those freakishly annoying and out-of-tune wooden flutes.

Call me crazy, but most people who are familiar with the Apple Festival will know what I mean by this. No matter where you go and what you do at the festival, it seems like—at some point—you always end up hearing a child blowing into a little wooden flute from one the shops.

8. Work!

If you are associated with any group or church that will be selling food in the Apple Festival, you should lend a hand. Working during the Apple Festival is an amazing feeling! It lets you serve your community while enjoying the fun, music-filled environment around you, and you even get to wear old-fashioned clothing to do it!

9. Check out the Downtown Kendallville Main Street Village.

You might have seen signs about this year’s “Main Street Village” around town. In all honesty, these are a bit misleading. Although the Apple Festival used to have an additional location on Main Street, those days are over. However, you should still visit Main Street on Saturday sometime between 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM to check out this year’s “Main Street Village,” which will feature some local vendors. Don’t expect anything big, though; most of these vendors are local Main Street businesses, and while they’ll have plenty to offer, they won’t necessarily replicate the whole old-fashioned Apple Festival theme.

10. Find Johnny Appleseed!

You might have never made the connection. Yes, the Apple Festival is a nod to Johnny Appleseed, a pioneer who traveled across the Midwest planting apple trees in the 1700s and 1800s. Every year a lone pioneer man strolls around the festival by day. He’ll sometimes even give children who talk to him a little gift. He once gave me a shiny stone, which I still have today. I challenge you to find him!

Basically, just enjoy yourself and your time away from school. Explore the fairgrounds with your friends or family and eat your weight in apple-related foods. Trust me, you won’t regret any of it!