The 17th annual Gravenstein Apple Celebration is set to take place all along the scenic Hood River County Fruit Loop, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22-23, serving up a weekend of relaxed country fun and delicious food for the whole family.

Gravenstein apples are considered the best by many bakers and cooks for pies, applesauce and desserts. The variety dates to at least 1670 in Denmark.

Gravensteins do not store well for long periods of time. The season is early and short; those seeking this wonderful apple often arrive too late in the Hood River Valley harvest season to find them. Gravensteins are flavorful “eating” apples, too.

Participating fruit stands and attractions all along the famous Fruit Loop winding through Hood River County orchards will have Gravensteins during the celebration weekend, as well as lots more produce, products, and fun.

Admission to Fruit Loop farms and attractions is free. In addition to Gravenstein apples and apple treats, some farms and wineries have special offerings during the event:

At the Draper Girls Country Farm near Mount Hood, it’s the “U-pick Gravenstein Extravaganza and More.” Enjoy the fun of picking your own Gravensteins, try fresh-pressed non-pasteurized Gravenstein cider, gaze at spectacular scenery from a beautiful flower garden. They’ll also have horseback rides for kids, animals to meet at their year-round petting zoo and lots of ready-picked fruit and produce.

Cody Orchards Fruit Stand in Odell focuses on Gravensteins and country fun all weekend, with orchard tours, cider pressing, a barbecue, children’s activities, home-made apple desserts and lots of crisp Gravensteins.

Enjoy all kinds of family fun at Rasmussen Farms, Pine Grove, including live music, games for kids and the opening of the popular free Corn Maze. In honor of Oregon’s 150th Anniversary, the theme of this year’s corn maze is “Johnny Appleseed on the Oregon Trail.” There will be lots of Gravenstein apples, and fields of sunflowers, too.

Apple Valley Country Store, bakery and barbecue, on Tucker Road south of Hood River, features Gravenstein apple dumplings, turnovers, and lots of fresh-baked apple pies. Their country barbecue will be serving up cherry wood-smoked pork and chicken sandwiches, with cider baked beans and pear coleslaw alongside.

Samples of lavender cinnamon apple cookies and lavender ginger apple cider will be offered at Hood River Lavender Farms in Odell. They’ll still have lots of fragrant lavender available for U-pick.

Visit Cascade Alpacas, near Odell, to meet alpacas and cute alpaca babies. At their delightful Foothills Yarn and Fiber full-service yarn shop, there’ll be a trunk show featuring Cascade Yarns, producer of the best-selling yarn in the U.S., Cascade 220. See hand knit garments and other items sure to inspire creativity.

Relax on the patio of the new Mt. Hood Winery tasting room, Pine Grove, and enjoy stunning valley views. The winery opened its new home Aug. 15. They are having a special tasting, serving all the Mt. Hood Winery favorites.

U-pick Gingergold apples may be available at Alice’s Orchard south of Hood River, and fresh produce, flowers, gourmet food products and bakery goods, and more will be available throughout the Fruit Loop.

Most farms and attractions along the Fruit Loop are open from at least 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (wineries open at 11 a.m.). For complete information about the Gravenstein Apple Celebration, for a listing of Fruit Loop farms, attractions and individual operating hours, and for an easy-to-follow map, visit:

hoodriverfruitloop.com.