What is happening

Applefest in Franklin, Pennsylvania began in 1983 as a humble apple pie baking contest sparked by a local resident’s idea to celebrate the area’s abundant apples and boost community pride during tough economic times.

Over the decades it has transformed into a major three-day autumn festival held each October in downtown Franklin, featuring free entertainment, live music, an Applefest 5K, classic car shows, and a wide variety of activities that draw visitors from across the region.

Today more than 300 arts, crafts, and food vendors line the streets and parks, offering everything from handmade goods to festival food. Applefest regularly attracts around 100,000+ attendees over its three days, making it one of western Pennsylvania’s largest fall events and a major economic boost for local businesses.

Lord willing, SFOI will be present October 1 - 4 and is seeking evangelists to join the team. Our aim is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to festival attendees and local citizens, ministering to individuals in the moment and, where possible, connecting them with faithful, Bible-teaching churches or ministries for ongoing discipleship.

Our goal is to evangelize and minister to people as they come and go from the festival grounds, as well as to residents in the surrounding area, trusting the Lord to use the public proclamation of His Word to draw sinners to Himself.

If you can't attend "Sponsor An Evangelist" (donate the fee) for someone to go in your stead: SAE.

Would you consider sponsoring the printing of tracts used at SFOI outreaches? Goto: Sponsor Tracts

Invitation: Matthew Cochran

Event Info

Ministry Location: Downtown Franklin, PA

Gathering location: Life Ministries, Inc

Event Leader: Matthew Cochran

• 9257mjc@gmail.com
• 724-893-4263

Dates: October 1-4, '26

• Arrival: Thursday, October 1, check in anytime after 2:00 PM
• Depart: Sunday, October 4, after ministry, around 5:00 PM

Schedule: Official Schedule

Ministry Schedule: 

• Thursday 
• 3:00pm: Arrival time and check in
• 5:30pm: Dinner
• 6:30-7:30pm: Prayer time
• 7:30-8:15pm: Welcome - Matthew Cochran 

• Friday-Saturday
• 8:00-9:00am: Breakfast
• 9:00-10:00am: Prayer
• 10:00-10:15am: Get ready to leave for outreach
• 10:30am: Arrive in Franklin
• 11:00am: Ministry begins
• 5:30pm: Ministry ends
• 6:00-7:00pm: Dinner time
• 7:00-8pm: Worship and sharing 

• Sunday schedule (Preliminary)
• Breakfast 8:00-9:00am
• 9:00-9:30am: Prayer
• 9:30am: Get ready to leave for outreach
• 10:30am: Church service
• 12:00-5:00pm: Ministry time in Franklin PA
• 5:00pm: End of outreach



Accommodation, Meals & Airport Pick-up:

Accommodations: Life Ministries, Inc

• Check in: Thursday, Oct 1, 2:00 PM
• Check out: Sunday, Oct 4

Address:  870 River ridge Rd, Franklin, Pa 16323

Meals: Breakfasts & sack Lunch, other meals on your own

Airport Pickup: Yes.

• Fill out the following form to let us know your travel plans:
• https://info.sfoi.org/travel-intinerary

Travel: Book Your Travel 

• New feature: book your flights; car rental, etc. via SFOI's partnership with Hotel Planner.
• You can also call: 888-973-5987 to check for unpublished airfare rates.
• Visit Hotel Planner on this link: https://sfoi.hotelplanner.com

Registration info:

Who can attend:  This event is for men and women.

Cost: $60

• Note: The full amount is payable regardless if you stay for a shorter period, as the property is booked and paid for in advance with the intention of full occupancy for the period it was booked.

Payment Deadline: Sep 15 (2 weeks before the outreach begins)

Payment Link:  Apple Fest Payments

Next steps -  First time Registration: 

If this is your first outreach event with SFOI, please read through the registration steps - click on the registration button below.

Once you register and are approved you will receive further information including but not limited to an event waiver and payment information. You will also be asked to submit a bio and picture to be posted on the event pages.

Next steps - Returning Evangelists: 

If you are a returning evangelist, click on the button below to register.

Once you register and are approved you will receive further information including but not limited to an event waiver and payment information. You will also be asked to submit a bio and picture to be posted on the event pages.

Prayer:

Please pray daily for the Franklin, PA Civil Magistrate based on 1 Timothy 2:1-7.

• Prayer is the foundation of the SFOI and praying for the Civil Magistrate has allowed the outreaches to operate smoothly over the years. So this is a must.
• Prayer time: SFOI has a weekly prayer time which is held Monday evenings at 7:00 PM EST. Click on the link to get details about the weekly prayer meeting:
• Prayer Call

Digital Exhibitors:

 Living Waters, Gospel of God Ministry, REF, George Whitefield Program, Banner of Truth, BardinMarsee Publishing (Waterproof Bible), To The End of the Earth, Until All Hear, Testimonies of God, Globeworks, -- purchase your Waterproof Bible at the SFOI store here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's):

If you have not previously participated in an SFOI outreach, and you have questions about how SFOI works, then visit these pages to help you understand the work of the ministry: 

• About SFOI
• SFOI Vision and Mission statements
• What to expect
• SFOI Distinctions
• The Gospel, the Goal and Expectations of SFOI 
• Why SFOI emphasizes open air preaching
• Other Frequently Asked Questions