The Miss Virginia Volunteer (MVV) organization and the Miss Apple Blossom Festival Pageant today announced a new partnership that brings one of Virginia’s most beloved festival titles into the Miss Volunteer America pathway. Beginning with the 2026 season, the Miss Apple Blossom titleholder will advance to compete for Miss Virginia Volunteer in Lynchburg, with the winner progressing to Miss Volunteer America.
The Miss Apple Blossom Pageant—long celebrated for its community spirit, service focus, and decades-deep heritage within the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival—previously operated under the Miss America system. The pageant has chosen to affiliate with Miss Virginia Volunteer to align with MVV’s model of Service, Scholarships & Education, Responsibility, Volunteerism, and Empowerment and its growing statewide network of local partners.
“Miss Apple Blossom is a Virginia treasure, and we are honored to welcome this historic pageant into the MVV family,” said Vickie Runk, Executive Director, Miss Virginia Volunteer. “Our organizations share the same heartbeat—elevating young women who lead with service, represent their communities with excellence, and inspire others by the way they live.”
“We are thrilled to begin this new chapter and look forward to all the opportunities with Miss Virginia Volunteer offers our local winners,” said Susan Helsley, Miss Apple Blossom Festival Pageant Co-Director. “We see a bright future ahead and look forward to our partnership with Miss Virginia Volunteer and Miss Volunteer America.”
“This is a meaningful step forward for Virginia pageantry,” added Vickie Runk. “Together, we’re creating more pathways for young women to grow, give back, and shine on stages that reflect the best of who we are as a state.”
About Miss Virginia Volunteer
Miss Virginia Volunteer is a scholarship-driven state pageant dedicated to empowering young women through service, leadership, and professional development. The MVV state competition is held annually in Lynchburg, Virginia, advancing its titleholder to Miss Volunteer America.
Learn more at MissVirginiaVolunteer.com
About the Miss Apple Blossom Festival Pageant
The Miss Apple Blossom Festival Pageant, now Miss Apple Blossom Volunteer, is a signature component of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom celebration in Winchester, Virginia. Rooted in community pride and festival tradition, the pageant highlights young women who lead through service, character, and public engagement. The Miss Apple Blossom Volunteer pageant presented by FNB Bank will take place at Daniel Morgan Middle School Auditorium on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Learn more at MissAppleBlossom.com
