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Clayton Celebrates 5 Million Trees Planted With Arbor Day Foundation
Annual AppleJack Festival in Full Bloom at Arbor Day Farm
A beloved Nebraska experience blends historic traditions with new favorites
LINCOLN, Nebraska (September 15, 2025) – A bushel, a bouquet — maybe even both. For the first time at the annual AppleJack Festival in Nebraska City, Arbor Day Farm’s U-Pick Flower Field will be open to guests. Visitors can select and snip their own flowers, then take their freshly cut arrangement home in a mason jar. In addition to the U-Pick Flowers, guests will also be able to browse Arbor Day Farm’s iconic U-Pick Apple Orchard.
Also new to the festival is a range of delicious culinary offerings including caramel apple cinnamon rolls, apple pie funnel cake, barbecue burnt end bowls, and burnt end walking nachos.
“The AppleJack Festival offers endless options for tasty treats and fun adventures, but above all, what makes this celebration so special is how it brings people together. Here at Arbor Day Farm, people are creating memories that last long after the harvest season ends. It’s a unique experience only found here in Nebraska City,” said Brandon Schuster, Vice President of Arbor Day Farm.
Limited-edition ice cream, Nebraska to the Core, will return to the AppleJack Festival this year. The flavor was developed in collaboration with 402 Creamery and originally debuted during the 2024 festival. Nebraska to the Core is made with vanilla bean ice cream, Arbor Day Farm’s homemade apple cider, apple swirls and toasted oat streusel.
The AppleJack Festival at Arbor Day Farm takes place over two weekends, Sept. 20-21 and Sept. 27-28.
Guests can pick their own apples and flowers, listen to live music, shop, tour the Greenhouse and sample wine and hard cider. Kids can weave their way through Tree Adventure and explore the winding expanse of Treetop Village.
During the festival’s opening weekend, more than 20 vendors will be ready to greet guests at the “Love, the Locals” Makers Market in Arbor Day Farm’s Historic Barn. History comes to life the second weekend at Arbor Lodge Mansion with a special “Living History” experience.
The 2025 AppleJack Festival is just the start of fall fun at Arbor Day Farm. Come in costume in October when the All-Hallows’ Eve celebration transforms the Nebraska City property into a family-friendly Halloween adventure. Visit arbordayfarm.org/events to buy tickets and learn more about all the upcoming celebrations at Arbor Day Farm.
About the Arbor Day Foundation
The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners. And this is only the beginning.
The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.
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