SANDPOINT — With the cold weather at the tip of North Idaho this past Saturday, residents found no better way to spend the chilly day than at the Cedar Street Bridge, tasting warm apple pie, launching apples into Spring Creek and even watching STAR the magician.  

The annual Sandpoint Apple Fest is more than a fall celebration; it is a way to bring residents downtown after the summer tourism rush, support Cedar Street Bridge vendors and nearby businesses and give families a place to gather as the colder weather settles. 

With apple-themed games, local vendors, pie tasting and children’s activities, Cedar Street Bridge manager Stacey Mueller said the event keeps downtown lively while strengthening the sense of community. 

"We put these events on for our community to connect, make memories and experience fun for all," Cedar Street Bridge manager Stacey Mueller said. "After greeting everyone at the welcome desk all day, the feedback I received from all who came told me we had succeeded in our goal!" 

A full slate of activities kept businesses busy, both for vendors at the Cedar Street Bridge and for downtown businesses. Whether locals slung apples from the Apple Fest slingshot, put on by Sugar Tooth for a chance to win prizes, or children waited patiently for their face to be painted, laughter and the smell of apples filled downtown.  

Mueller said the event gets better every year, with the apple pie contest showing the most growth and excitement. This year, Heather McComis and Justine Emch took the cake, or pie, to win the stomachs of the community and official volunteer judges. McComis won the public vote, and Emch was the judges' favorite.  

"We had two winners, but ALL the contestants took this super seriously and put a lot of heart into making their pies. And quite honestly, the contest brings about the making of a Sandpoint Hallmark movie," Mueller said.  

The apple pie contest wouldn't be possible without volunteers, those who donated their time due to their appreciation of what Creations, a community play area and art studio inside the Cedar Street Bridge, does for the community.   

Sales and hidden prizes were sprinkled across Sandpoint, too, in honor of Apple Fest, promoting visitors to familiar and new businesses alike. Community members were given hints from Sandpoint Shopping District's Facebook page, clues that helped locals find a unique apple-shaped water bottle.  

With too many attendees to count, Mueller said, the Apple Fest tradition continues to grow in the coming years, with more families, pies, festivities and a reason for residents to gather and support downtown businesses.  

    A man gets ready to launch an apple into Spring Creek for a chance to win cash or a gas card. The apple launch is one of many events that were available at the 2026 Sandpoint Apple Fest.

    Justine Emch, pie #6, won the judges' favorite. Volunteer judges scored pies based on taste, texture and appearance.
  

    Heather McComis won the public vote during the 2026 Apple Fest for her delicious apple pie. Her pie, identified as #17, was the fan favorite among locals who opted to try up to five different pieces of pie before voting on their favorite.
  

    Dozens of apple samples wait to be tasted and voted on at the 2026 Apple Fest.

    A child, Trayce Baskin, eagerly sits behind an apple cutout sign for Sandpoint's Apple Fest