The festival was originally created in 1962 as a way to provide a market for the county's apple production.

In 2022 the Kentucky Apple Festival returned and continue their time honored tradition.

It was guided by Elmon Davis, an officer at Citizens National Bank and apple orchard owner from Flat Gap.

Eventually, the Kentucky Apple Festival became the more popular of the two and the Johnson County Fair became nonexistent.

Traditional events include: Junior and Miss Apple Blossom pageant; school competitions in spelling, art, penmanship, and mathematics; old-fashion costume contest; terrapin trot (turtle race); multiple concerts; car shows; Ducky Derby (Rubber duck race on Paint Creek) and the Apple Festival Parade.