In celebration of Apple Day, the harvest and the living culture of fruit farming in East Anglia on Sat 18 Oct we’ll be filled with apples!

Join us for a day of activities exploring the heritage, flavours and creativity of apples in Essex. From tasting and storytelling to film and family clay making, there’s something for everyone to explore and enjoy.

Apple Day at Firstsite will also be held as part of the opening celebration activities for our newest exhibition Into the Orchard, by artists Hana Loftus and Maddie Persent. 

Activities To Explore 

Apple Tasting and Tales

From Worcester Pearmain to Ribston Pippin, discover and taste some of the 200 varieties of apples grown at Crapes Farm!

Bring along your own apples to be identified by third-generation farmer Andrew Tann while you take part in some apple-themed activities suitable for all ages.

Apple Fair and Shared Memories 

Browse through a selection of tasty and juicy apples on sale from local growers.

Visit the Essex Records Office pop-up audio booth, to share your memories of fruit farming in the area and add to the county archive.

Apple Screening: Don’t Fight The Land That Feeds You

At 2pm, we’ll be screening Don’t Fight The Land That Feeds You by Essex-based artist and smallholder Marley Karazimba.

Explore the relationship between communities and the land in East Anglia. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Marley Karazimba and artists Hana Loftus and Maddie Persent.

Find out more information and book your tickets

Make Your Own Mini-Clay Apple

Learn how to sculpt your very own apple from air-dry clay, discovering simple techniques to shape, smooth, and add details with local clay artist Lizzie Croucher!

Once the basic apple form is complete, Lizzie will show you how to bring your apple to life by giving it a face full of character.

Find out more information and book your tickets 

Open Call: Apple Day Fair

We’re inviting local growers to be part of the celebrations by bringing along their seasonal fruit to share and sell their seasonal harvest.

If you would like to be part of the day, please contact us at [email protected] by Sat 11 Oct. We recommend getting in touch as soon as possible to secure your spot!