Big Apple of New England (Johnny Appleseed Visitors Center, 2019-present)

The Johnny Appleseed Visitors Center, off Route 2 in Lancaster, Massachusetts, unveiled “The Big Apple of New England” sculpture in July 2019. The giant red apple sculpture is 10 feet tall.
 
Similar “Big Apple” roadside attractions include a “Big Red Apple” in Cornelia, Georgia (1926-present), a “Big Apple” that was in Wathena, Kansas (1928-1940), a “Big Apple” kiosk in Mumbles, Swansea Bay, Wales (1930s-present), a “Big Apple” at Robinette’s Apple Haus in Grand Rapids, Michigan (1973-present), a “Big Apple” tourist information booth in Meaford, Ontario, Canada (1974-present), a “Big Apple” in Thulimbah, Queensland, Australia (1978-present), a “Big Apple” in Colborne, Ontario, Canada (1987-present), a “Big Apple” at the Big Apple Cafe & Event Centre in Waitomo Caves, New Zealand (1995-present), a “Big Apple” in Medina, New York (2000-present), a “Big Apple” at the Yamanashi Prefectural Museum in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan (2008-present) and “La Mela Reintegrata” or “The Apple Made Whole Again” at Central Station in Milan, Italy (2015-present).
   
       
Visit North Central Massachusetts
Big Apple of New England 
The Big Apple of New England (which stands at 10 feet tall and weighs over 1,000 lbs.) is the largest apple sculpture of its kind in all of New England.  This unique oddity honors the region’s strong agricultural heritage and connection to apples and that of iconic American folk story – Johnny Appleseed.  American pioneer and folk hero John Chapman (AKA Johnny Appleseed) was born locally in Leominster, Massachusetts and is the official state folk hero for Massachusetts.  The Big Apple of New England is part of an effort to promote North Central Massachusetts to travelers and visitors. 
 
The Gardner News (Gardner, MA)
Red Apple Farm owner donates big apple to Route 2 rest stop     
By Chris Van Buskirk / Special to the Telegram & Gazette
Posted Jul 10, 2019 at 2:01 PM
Updated Jul 10, 2019 at 2:01 PM
LANCASTER — New York City residents may have to rethink the nickname “Big Apple” after the unveiling of a 10-foot apple installation in Northern Worcester County — the largest in New England, organizers say.
 
The event drew a crowd of approximately 100 people, including dignitaries from surrounding towns and a State House delegation, to the Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center on Route 2.
 
Roy Nascimento, president and CEO of North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, said the installation honors the region’s agricultural heritage and connection to apples.
 
Athol (MA) Daily News
Move over New York — Massachusetts has its own ‘Big Apple’
By GREG VINE
For The Athol Daily News
Published: 7/10/2019 9:55:15 PM
LANCASTER – Al Rose, third generation owner of Phillipston’s Red Apple Farm, was one of the featured speakers at a ceremony held Wednesday morning at the Johnny Appleseed Visitors Center off Route 2 in Lancaster. A portion of the state highway has been designated the Johnny Appleseed Trail. The event marked the official unveiling of “The Big Apple of New England,” a giant red apple standing 10 feet tall and billed as the largest apple sculpture of its kind in the six-state region.
 
Rose, who also serves as chair of the board of Visit North Central Massachusetts, was credited by North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce President Roy Nascimento with obtaining the giant apple. For his part, Rose credited another local business with making the event possible.
 
Twitter
Chris Van Buskirk
@byChrisVan
An early morning for this reporter! Covering the unveiling ceremony for the #JohnnyAppleseed Visitor Center’s Big Apple of New England. Organizers say the 10 foot tall installation is the largest apple structure in New England.
8:49 AM - 10 Jul 2019
   
Twitter
Visit North Central Massachusetts
@VisitNCM
REVEALING The Big Apple of New England- A 10 ft. tall apple structure that is heralded at our Johnny Appleseed Visitors’ Center- serving as a beacon to tourists and travelers in North Central Massachusetts!
Be sure to take a selfie with it and use the hashtag: #BigAppleofNE!
10:46 AM - 10 Jul 2019
   
Twitter
Dave Ginisi
@DaveGinisi
Today we revealed the Big Apple of New England- a 10 ft tall apple structure that will serve as a beacon to tourists and travelers! #BigAppleofNE @VisitNCM @VisitMA
11:15 AM - 10 Jul 2019
   
Facebook
Fitchburg Access Television (FATV) is with Representative Stephan Hay and 4 others.
July 11 at 6:28 AM ·
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and Visit North Central Unveil the Big Apple of New England, the largest apple structure in New England
 
Lowell (MA) Sun
‘Big Apple’ of N.E. to beckon tourists
The 8-foot tall icon unveiled in Lancaster
Monica Busch, Staff Writer
UPDATED:  07/11/2019 08:48:56 AM EDT
LANCASTER — A colossal red apple now greets visitors at the Johnny Appleseed Visitors’ Center in Lancaster, and local officials hope it will attract social media savvy tourists during their drives west.
 
“The Big Apple of New England,” which has been hailed as the largest structure of its kind in its eponymous region, was unveiled on Wednesday under the searing morning sun, as a cheering and eager audience looked on. It stands more than 8-feet-tall, according to Visit North Central Massachusetts.
 
The apple was salvaged by Al Rose, owner of Red Apple Farm, who offered the structure to the visitors’ center in February, according to its longtime manager, Diane Burnette.