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ENJOY! MARCH 2014
Apple Blossom plans a week of fun for all ages By Josette Keelor
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as closely as they can to the televised “Americaʼs Got Talent,” which started in 2006 and is part of the global British “Got Talent” franchise. It accepts 10 contestants per audition night, having already judged talented singers, dancers, comedians and tricksters who do magic or even toss Frisbees.
pringtime in the valley has had a slow start this year, but in Winchester plans for the 87th Shenandoah Valley Apple Blossom Festival are in full bloom. Singing its theme as “The Land of Pink & Green,” the festival scheduled from April 25 to May 4 will welcome warmer weather with music, food and nine days of nearly nonstop parties, said the festivalʼs head of publicity, Susie Iden.
Contestants have traveled from as far away as Virginia Beach and parts of West Virginia and Maryland, which Gaines said could be because of a void of comparative regional competitions. “I would say that, number one, plus I think with having a $5,000 grand prize, people know itʼs a pretty serious competition,” she said. Cash prizes, which include $1,500 to the runner up and $500 to the second runner up, were raised through sponsorships and ticket sales from previous festival years.
Beginning with the United Bank Bloominʼ Wine Fest on April 25 and 26 and ending with two parades, a fireworks display, a Saturday morning coronation of Queen Shenandoah, a bluegrass festival and Anthonyʼs Weekend in the Park May 3 and 4, the week also will include carnival, circus, Breakfast Walk, 10K race, pie-baking contest, golf tournament, band competition and trail of downtown midway tents will keep things rocking and rolling all week long. “Thereʼs something for everyone to enjoy,” Iden said. “A lot of family entertainment.” One of this yearʼs biggest changes began this winter with auditions for the Apple Blossomʼs Got Talent competition, something festival President Lou Ann Thompson called “phenomenal.”
Top: Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival Grand Marshal Scotty McCreery waves to the crowd during the 2013 Grand Feature Parade. Brad Fauber/Daily Above: Women crowd in during the Bloomers Luncheon inside the Shentel Tent during the 2013 Apple Blossom festivities. Rich Cooley/Daily
Thompson said some events have been moved from their traditional dates and locations.
north end of the walking mall, near Piccadilly Street. The Weekend in the Park will return to its roots, according to Thompson. “Itʼs going to be quite different,” she said. “Crafters will meander through the park. Probably 10 years ago it was like that, and everybody seems to be excited to go back to the old layout.”
The Oldies Rock ʻnʼ Roll Dance has been moved from the festivalʼs final Saturday to Apple Blossomʼs Got Talent will hold its the previous weekend and will be from 7 to final celebration from 7 to 11:30 p.m. May “Itʼs taken off like wildfire,” she said. The 11 p.m. on April 26. 3 when the final 12 contestants will perfirst two public audition nights at the Bright form in the Sprint Festival Event Tent. “We didnʼt want to have too many events Box Theatre, 15 N. Loudoun St., General admission to the finals is $25, and within that small span of time,” she said. Winchester, were sold out, and the third VIP tickets for $50 include private tables will be April 3. Last yearʼs downtown renovations forced and a bar, food and Las Vegas-themed The theater can seat about 300 people, and events off the Loudoun Street Pedestrian “goodies.” competition co-chair Theresa Gaines called Mall and into the area between Cameron and Loudoun streets, but Iden said it work- “You never know what little celebrities you the experience so far “overwhelming.” will see walking around the tent,” Gaines ed so well that Saturday morning events said. “But it will be a full night of entertain“Itʼs been going really well, better than we on May 3 will keep their same locations. ment.” expected for the first year,” she said. The midway, which features tents with Organizers have aligned the competition To help visitors enjoy as much as they can, food, drinks and games, will be at the
The semi-finals will be at 7 p.m. on April 17, when festival judges whittle down the 30 chosen contestants to 12. Auditions and the semi-finals are free to the viewing public but require a reservation through the Bright Box Theatre box office. In weeks to come, the festival office will begin announcing celebrities who intend to join in the festivities, including the Grand Marshal of the Grand Feature Parade, the Firefightersʼ Marshal of the Friday night parade, and Queen Shenandoah herself. After such a cold winter, Thompson said, “I think everybodyʼs really looking forward to breaking out of their homes and getting involved in some warm weather activities.” For more information about the 87th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, call 540-662-3863 or visit thebloom.com. The festival office, at 125 N. Cameron St., Winchester, is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Contact Community Engagement Editor Josette Keelor at 540-465-5137, ext. 176, or jkeelor@nvdaily.com
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“During the week we have luncheons, we have dinners, we have dances,” she said.