Ladie's Horticultural Luncheon

As the festival grew over the years, so did the ideas of having fun. What began as an informal luncheon in a private home has grown into a yearly gathering of some 500 women. In the early years of the Festival, the downtown Winchester merchants competed with window displays in an apple theme. The judges for this contest were the presidents of the Horticultural Societies of Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia. While the gentlemen were completing their judging and afterwards attending the Stag Luncheon, the ladies were entertained in a private home. As the number of ladies attending the luncheon increased, the Virginia Horticultural Society Women’s Auxiliary became the sponsor of the Ladies’ Luncheon and opened it up to the public. The Festival welcomed the luncheon as an official event and assisted by sending personalities and celebrities to visit the luncheon. The Ladies’ Luncheon has continued to grow and is now held annually at the Best Western/Lee-Jackson banquet room.

This year's guest speaker will be Doug Rinker. Doug is the President and General Manager for the Winchester Equipment Company. He is a member of the board for Virginia Storage Services, Bank of Clarke County, and Frederick County Industrial Development Authority. He is also the Chairman of the Northern Shenandoah Valley Youth For Christ, and President of the Frederick County Educational Foundation. Doug was the Past President of the Eastern Equipment Dealers Association, past President of the Frederick County FFA Alumni and Life member, and past Chairman of the Winchester/Frederick County Economic Development Commission. Doug's past memberships include the Winchester-Frederick County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Frederick County Planning Commission, Governor’s Small Business Advisory Council Board, Frederick County Vocational Advisory Council, and Virginia FFA Foundation. Doug is a graduate of Virginia Tech in Agriculture Education, was the National FFA President 1979-80 and Vocational Agriculture Instructor for 7 1/2 years at James Wood High School. Round Hill United Methodist Church - Lay Speaker, Sunday school Teacher and Lay Leader. Family includes Wife, Katie; Children, Amanda, a recent graduate of Virginia Tech and currently in Youth Ministry in Memphis, and Daniel, a senior at Virginia Tech.

The Ladies’ Luncheon has always been one of the most elegant events of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®. It will be held at the Best Western/Lee-Jackson at 11:00 a.m. on Friday May 2nd. Door prizes will be given away, media and sports celebrities, political figures and festival celebrities will drop by to say hello.