On October 3 and 4, 2015 the Arc Store in Paradise will staff a booth at the Johnny Appleseed Days Festival. It’s the second largest event in town and along with historical tradition provides plenty of fun and entertainment for anyone who stops by.

History

The event was first celebrated as the “Harvest Home Festival” in 1888 and is known as the oldest harvest in California. In 1887, Paradise opened its first post office while the Butte County Railroad ran up the ridge serving mines and sawmills. The Maidu Indians were still prevalent in the area and a regular stage route went through Paradise, Coutelenc, Dogtown (Magalia), Nimshew, Toadtown, and Inskip. There was also a regular cattle road coming up the ridge roughly along Clark Road from Oroville and another one on Neal Road to Susanville.

In 1916, the Paradise Irrigation District created the Magalia Reservoir and apple orchards began springing up along the ridge. One of the oldest and best known are the Noble Family Orchards, founded around 1921, still operating here today and supplying the apples for the festival.

In 1937, the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce sponsored its first “Paradise Fair and Apple Show,” which lasted for 5 days. There was an apple pyramid built in the Memorial Hall that consisted of 15 thousand apples. There was also a lot of fanfare when the event was visited by the cast members of “The Adventures of Robin Hood” who were filming in nearby Bidwell Park.   [Source: www.ontheridge.com]

The fair was halted for World War II and resumed in 1951 as “The Paradise Arts and Crafts Show.” It finally became known as “Johnny Appleseed Days” in 1968 with the town Chamber of Commerce hosting the event featuring over a thousand apple pies every year.

Present Day

There will be local entertainment and vendor booths, a games pavilion for the young and old alike. Johnny Appleseed will visit and regale people with stories and history.

This year a pie-eating contest is being added at 2 p.m. on Saturday and a mixed media art contest for three age groups: kids, kindergarten to 5^th grade, 6^th grade to 12^th grade, and adults. The entries can be drawings, paintings, or sculptures. Chamber gift certificates will be presented for first, second and third place winners. This will be the 127^th festival and runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday at Terry Ashe Park on the Skyway. Admission is free and approximately 7,000 people are expected. [Source: Paradise Chamber of Commerce]

Sponsors 

This year’s sponsors include Wells Fargo, Kaia fitness, Black Bear Diner, Rite Aid, The Elks Lodge where volunteers bake the 1000 pies needed, PG&E, Northern Recycling and Waste, Adventist Health, and many others. The Arc booth will offer free shopping bags along with a many great prizes to raffle, so come by to sign up and prepare to leave with a smile.

Holiday Season in Paradise 

This fine event unofficially kicks off the holiday season in Paradise. If you’re looking for any kind of holiday decorating item stop on by. If you’re up for some fun and adventure don’t miss the opportunity to come in and shop the Arc Store in Paradise. You’ll find a selection of donated clothing that is clean, organized and sure to be pleasantly priced.

Shop the Timeless section of clothes and experience upscale clothing and shoes from major manufacturers for any occasion. If the weather turns a little cold, there is a large variety of jackets and sweaters on sale this month in the “Pre-Winter” sale.

Halloween costumes are already selling fast, but there are still plenty left for adults and children. The Arc Store is thrilled to assist the community with all its festivity needs.