HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Hendersonville will celebrate its signature North Carolina Apple Festival from Friday, Aug. 29, through Monday, Sept. 1, bringing parades, street closures and thousands of visitors to downtown.

The festival opens at 10 a.m. Friday with a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on the steps of the Historic Henderson County Courthouse. Main Street will be closed to vehicles between Caswell Street and Seventh Avenue beginning Thursday afternoon. Parking restrictions along Main Street take effect at 2 p.m. from Caswell to Allen and 3 p.m. from Allen to Seventh Avenue. Streets will reopen Monday evening following the King Apple Parade and cleanup.

Festival organizers are discouraging attendees from bringing pets and reminding visitors that drones are not permitted. Bicycle parking will be available near the Ecusta Trail for a small fee, but bicycles, skateboards and other vehicles are not allowed within the festival footprint.

Parking will be available in city lots and at the 5th Avenue West parking deck, which will charge a $10 flat fee during the festival. Volunteers will assist drivers at the gates. The City Hall lot at 160 6th Avenue East will serve as handicapped parking from Saturday through Monday. Officials are also warning drivers that privately owned lots may charge for parking and could tow unauthorized vehicles.

The Hendersonville Farmers Market will operate as usual from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, along Maple Street next to the Historic Train Depot.

The King Apple Parade steps off at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1, along Main Street from Five Points to Kanuga/Caswell. Viewers are asked not to gather south of Caswell, where floats will exit the parade route.

Street closures and detours will be in place Monday afternoon to accommodate parade staging around Oakland Street, Bearcat Boulevard and portions of Asheville Highway. Motorists approaching downtown will be rerouted to Fleming Street, Seventh Avenue, Maple, Locust or other nearby roads. Commercial trucks will be diverted via Duncan Hill Road, Signal Hill Road, Dana Road or Tracy Grove Road.

City government offices will be closed Monday for Labor Day. Trash, recycling and brush collection will be delayed one week for Monday customers, with pickup resuming Sept. 8. Extra bagged garbage will be collected at that time. Residents with water or sewer emergencies may call the city’s after-hours line at 828-891-7779.

More details and entertainment schedules are available here.