CHAMPAIGN, ILL. (WAND) - The annual Atwood Apple Dumpling Festival is back for the 2023 season. This year is the village is celebrating their sesquicentennial. This festival will highlight the 150th year of Atwood.
The festival showcases pieces of Atwood history. Bill Fleming, Village President, explains the origin behind the unique name of the village.
"Originally the town of Atwood didn't start as Atwood it started as MackVille. When the railroad opened up and the trains started coming through. This was kind of a wooded area, so the MackVille sort of gradually made its way over here. And we became 'at the woods' and that's how we got our name Atwoods," said Flemming.
This year's event is bigger than before. There are over 50 vendors and triple the amount of food vendors from previous years. You can catch live music, a car show, parade, tractor pull and more.
Of course, it wouldn't be an apple dumpling festival without the sweet treat.
"You can't have the festival without the apple dumplings," said Dorthy Clouth, American Legion Auxiliary.
The apple dumplings are made by the American Legion Auxiliary. Clouth says the secret is in the special sauce. The United Church of Atwood makes over 120 gallons of homemade ice cream. Both stands are right next to each other, complimenting each other's sweet treat.
"There's a special syrup that goes with them. We've had people want that recipe, but we try to keep it for a specialty for our Auxiliary," said Clouth.
Festivities are from August 18th-19th. You can find a list of events below.
