Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival facts for kids
The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival is a big, fun event held every spring in Winchester, Virginia. People sometimes call it "The Bloom." It lasts for six days and celebrates the beautiful apple blossoms. This festival started in 1924, making it one of the oldest celebrations in Virginia.
How the Festival Started
The very first festival happened on May 3, 1924. It was originally a one-day event. The festival did not happen from 1942 to 1945 because of World War II.
Some of the exciting things at the festival include:
- A Grand Feature Parade
- A Firefighters' Parade (which started in 1929)
- A carnival with rides and games
- Luncheons, races, and walks
- Dances and concerts
There is also a field show competition. The winner used to get the Queen's Cup trophy. This trophy was retired in 1977. Every year, a Queen Shenandoah is crowned at John Handley High School. The first queen was Elizabeth Steck (Arthur).
Growing the Festival
In the 1930s, people started to lose interest in the festival. So, Tom Baldridge was chosen to help run it. He also worked for MGM, a movie company. This job helped him invite famous people to the festival. These celebrities made the public excited about the festival again.
In the 1960s and 1970s, new things were added. In 1964, Lyndon B. Johnson became the first U.S. President to visit. Sports stars like Jack Dempsey started attending in 1965. The "Sunday in the Park" event also began in 1975. The Cole Brothers Circus of the Stars, which kids still love, first came to the festival in 1981.
The Festival Today
The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival organization runs the event. Over 250,000 people come to visit each year.
Some popular parts of the festival today are:
- The Old Town Wine & Fine Arts Festival
- The Apple Blossom Carnival
The festival is famous for its many guest celebrities and fun events. Before the festival, the people of Winchester clean up the city. They also decorate it in green, pink, and white. These are the festival colors. This makes Winchester look its best for all the visitors.
In 2020, the festival had to be canceled. This was because of the COVID-19 pandemic.