​Our 94th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® will look much different.  Festival fans need to understand that we are working and planning under a new set of rules, and will result in temporary changes for 2021.  Current statewide restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings limit the Festival’s ability to plan major events like parades and the Midway in Old Town Winchester.  Largescale indoor events will transition outdoors under multiple tents at the Frederick County Fairgrounds.  The Festival will scale back ticket availability to comply with the Governor’s Forward Virginia Phase 3 requirements and participation limits.  Event-goers should expect to follow CDC guidelines and mandates in order to participate in events.  Specific changes to the Festival schedule will be available in the Festival’s What’s New for 2021 press release series which will be shared with Festival fans and the media in the coming weeks.

Event tickets will go on sale starting December 1, 2020.  Tickets can be purchased in person at Festival Headquarters, by phone at (540) 662-3863, or through our new online ticketing system at www.thebloom.com.  Make plans now to join us on April 23-May 2, 2021 as we get “Back in Bloom.”

Media Contact:

Bradley S. Veach, Executive Director
Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival
135 North Cameron Street, Winchester, VA 22601
(540) 662-3863 | bveach@sabf.org | www.thebloom.com

Winchester, VA – The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® is pleased to announce a 30-day fundraising campaign in partnership with Express Feedback for Good.  The goal is for our community to come together and generate over $35,000 – without spending a dime!
Proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to attract high school and professional bands to the Grand Feature Parade and enhance entertainment at Festival events during the 2021 Festival.  Express Feedback for Good is a fantastic – and totally free – way you can help ensure that the Festival can continue its legacy.

Participants are asked to register and complete consumer surveys about national brands covering a variety of industries.  After you sign up, every time you share a brand opinion, you will generate $2.00 for the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®, and each participant can complete up to 75 surveys.  That is $150.00 for the Festival if participants complete all 75 surveys! Names and emails will not be sold or distributed to any third-party companies – only the Festival will see the personal information.  The campaign is an easy, safe, and free way to make a positive impact on the Festival by spending a few minutes a day to complete surveys.
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Visit https://bit.ly/Bloom-influ to register to support the Festival.  Participants are encouraged to share the website URL and message with their family and friends.

Background

Express Feedback for Good is a division of HundredX who partners with and advises hundreds of enterprises and investors to capture feedback and brand impression from consumers.  HundredX has developed a safe and easy-to-us proprietary system to capture customer information for their national clients while providing a unique fundraising opportunity through Express Feedback for GoodTM for non-profit organizations.  The Festival is working with National Director of Express Feedback for GoodTM, Nicole Johnson who served as Miss Apple Blossom Festival in 1997, Miss Virginia in 1998 and Miss America in 1999.

Media Contacts:

Bradley S. Veach, Executive Director
Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®
(540) 662-3863
bveach@sabf.org

Elaine Aikens, Past President
Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®
(540) 974-6965
elaine@aikensgroup.com

Winchester, VA – Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® President, Tommy Price, is pleased to announce an upcoming ceremony to recognize local high school and college athletes chosen to represent their schools during the 93rd Annual Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival.  Each year, the Festival acknowledges local athletes during its Saturday morning Partlow Insurance Sports Breakfast, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was canceled in 2020.

“Unfortunately, the Festival was not able to recognize our athletes this year, but we feel it is important to carry on this tradition and give these fine student-athletes the credit they deserve,” said President Tommy Price.

A ceremony will take place at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 30, 2020 at Partlow Insurance’s Old Town Winchester office located at 151 North Loudoun Street, Winchester, VA.  Due to COVID-19 and the need to maintain social distancing, the ceremony is open to invited guests including student-athletes, school athletic directors, Festival officials and sponsors, and the media.  Everyone in attendance is asked to wear a mask.

The 2020 line-up of outstanding local athletes include:

​Jordan Jackson (Millbrook High School)
Jordan is a standout football and basketball player at Millbrook High School. In football he is a 3-year starter and has been named to the All-District Teams all 3 years. This year he was named First Team All-District and First Team All-Region as a Wide Receiver. On the basketball court Jordan is a 4-year starter and has received All-District honors all 4 years. He was also named to the All-Region team his junior year. Jordan has a 3.4 GPA and will attend Frostburg State University on a football scholarship this Fall.

Colby Childs (Clarke County High School)
Colby has earned 11 varsity letters at Clarke County (3 football/4 basketball/4 baseball).  He has been a 3-year starter at quarterback in football. He broke Clarke County’s career passing records in single game yards, single season yards and career passing yards and lead the team to a share of the 2019 Bull Run title.  He was selected 1st Team and 2nd Team All-Bull Run District honors his sophomore and junior year at the Offensive All-Purpose position.  He was selected 1st Team All-Bull District and 1st Team All Region 2B quarterback his senior season.  Colby earned Winchester Star honors in each of his 3 seasons in football.  In baseball, Colby has been a 4-year starter at shortstop and pitcher. He was selected 1st Team All-Bull Run and 1st Team All-Region 2B honors at shortstop in each of his sophomore and junior seasons while also gaining Winchester Star honors in each of those seasons.   In basketball, Colby has been a 3-year starter and earned Winchester Star honors his junior year.  Colby was named as an honorable mention Winchester Star Athlete of the Year in 2018-19.  Colby has a 3.82 GPA and has signed a letter of intent with Hood College to play baseball.

Malachi Imoh (Handley High School)
Malachi Imoh is a graduate of John Handley High School. His parents are James and Marie Imoh, and has two siblings Elizabeth Imoh and Tirone Young. Malachi participated in Handley’s football program all 4 years, the track and field program during his junior and senior years and the soccer program while a Freshman. Along with playing sports in high school, he achieved high academic standards. During his sophomore and junior years at Handley, he attended Mountain Vista Governor’s School focusing on biology. He is a member of the National Honor Society and scored 1410 on the SAT. He will be attending the College of William and Mary next year to play football on an athletic scholarship.

DJ Staton (Warren County High School)
D.J. Staton is a graduate of Warren County High School. His accolades in track, both indoor and outdoor, is three-time All-State and five-time All-Region. He is also a current Northwestern District Champion. In cross country he has been two-time All-State and three-time All-Region. He has been awarded the Northern Virginia Daily all Track and Cross-Country teams. D.J. will attend the University of South Carolina – Upstate on a Cross Country and Track Scholarship. He has a GPA of 2.77.

Aaliyah Chunn (Skyline High School)
Aaliyah is a 3-sport athlete from Skyline High School in Warren County.  Aaliyah competed in volleyball, indoor and outdoor track and field.  In volleyball, she earned 2019 1st Team All-District, 1st Team All-Region, 1st Team All-State, Northwestern District Class 3 Player of the Year, Region 3B Player of the Year, Player of the Year for the Northern Virginia Daily.  Indoor Track and Field 2019 All-Region and All State in the High Jump 2020 All-District and All Region in the High Jump.  Outdoor Track, she earned 2017 All-District and All Region in the High Jump, 2018 All-District, All-Region, and All-State High Jump, 2019 All-District, All-Region, and All-State High Jump. She is Skyline’s record holder in the High Jump at 5’2.  Aaliyah will be attending Shenandoah University this fall. She will study Kinesiology and join the SU volleyball and track and field teams.

Payne Bauer (Sherando High School)
Payne is a graduate of Sherando High School.  He participated in DECA, NHS, and competed in football and baseball. As a football player, he is a two-time VHSL 1st all state performer,  a USA today 2nd All-State performer, two-time region defensive player of the year,  two-time district defensive player of the year, two-time all-area Winchester Star Defensive Player of the Year and lastly, The Northern Virginia Daily Defensive Player of the Year. As a baseball player, he is a two-time all-district outfielder, two-time all-region outfield, and a 1st team all-state outfielder. After high school, Bauer will be going to James Madison University and major in finance while playing football.

McKayla Firebaugh (James Wood High School)
Firebaugh is a graduate of James Wood High School.  In basketball, she was a four-time 1st team all-district, three time Offensive MVP,  two-time Northwestern District Player of the Year, 2nd Team All-Region, 1st Team All-Region, Region Co-Player of the Year , 1st Team VHSCA All-State, Winchester Star Player of the Year, and 1st Team VHSL All-State.  She currently holds James Wood the records for 2031 career points, 189 career three-pointers, most threes in a single season (63), most points scored in a single game (44), most points scored in a single season (612), and top points average in a single season 24.5 points per game.   Firebaugh received the 2018 U.S. House of Representatives Certificate of Congressional and Recognition for Outstanding offensive Player of the Year in girls’ basketball. She has also been a 2-year member of the National Honor Society as well as DECA and Varsity Club. Firebaugh will continue her education at Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ where she is committed to play Division I basketball with plans of majoring in forensic science.

​Casey Stewart (Shenandoah University)
As a junior, Casey set a program season record with 15 touchdowns in football.  He was named first team All-ODAC.  Played in 10 games, recorded 2 tackles, 54 receptions for 859 yards, and named first team All-State by VaSID. As a senior, Casey led the ODAC in receiving yards with 1191, had 13 touchdowns, set a new program mark for career receiving touchdowns. He was named second team All-ODAC.  Casey was a finalist for the Armed Services Merit Award for the second straight year, was a finalist for the Lanier Award, given to the top NCAA DII/DIII or NAIA player in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Casey earned second team All-ECAC honors and named second team All-State by VaSID.

The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® Board of Directors unanimously elected Thomas “Tommy” F. Price to serve as the organization’s President for a two-year term beginning today, Monday, June 22, 2020.  Price replaces now Past President, Barry Carper who served as President for the 92nd and 93rd Festivals.

Price has volunteered with the Festival for the past 42 years.  He first started out as a Firefighters’ Parade marshal in 1978 and was primarily involved with firefighters-related events.  Tommy served as Director of Firefighter’s Activities for two terms.

When asked about his favorite memories, Price stated “I have really enjoyed escorting celebrities over the last 10 years.”  Price added “I can’t say that I have a favorite memory; all are good memories, and I am sure the best memories are yet to come. I love the Festival and everything it stands for and enjoys working with the staff and volunteers.  I look forward to following in the footsteps of all before me.  It is important to keep the Festival spirit alive and going on for many more years to come.”

Tommy and his wife Becky will celebrate 39 years of marriage later this month.  They have two children, 30-year-old twins William and Sara.  Tommy and Becky enjoy spending time with their three grandchildren, 1-year-old twins Liam and Adaline (William and wife Casey) and 4-month-old Noah (Sara and husband Kevin.)  Price is a member of Clear Brook Presbyterian Church. Tommy is a lifetime member of the Clear Brook Volunteer Fire Co. where he has volunteered for 43 years and served as Fire Chief for 18 years.

Keep the Apple Blossom spirit alive by celebrating in your home and support the Festival during these hard economic times.

WINCHESTER, VA – Just like other local businesses and organizations, the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® is struggling financially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Inclement weather had a devastating impact on Festival finances in 2018 and 2019, and the recent postponement of the 2020 Festival has placed our organization in uncertain times. Regardless of the situation, the Festival and its partners are resilient and stand committed to providing our loyal fans with opportunities to celebrate the arrival of spring and the beautiful apple blossoms – even it if means doing it from home this year.

Join us on Saturday, May 2, 2020, at 1:00 pm, as the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®, in partnership with Shenandoah University airs a two-hour Tribute Parade showcasing the Festival’s rich history and giving fans an opportunity to help the Festival through an online giving campaign. Supporters are encouraged to keep the Festival spirit alive by hosting a family social distancing parade party at home, decorating your homes in pink and green, dressing up in your best pink and green outfits, sharing your favorite Apple Blossom stories, photos, and videos on social media and inviting family and friends from out of town to tune in to the tribute parade on WDVM TV25 or stream the parade online at thebloom.com.

​Each year the Festival and its volunteers rely on ticket sales, sponsorship and merchandise sales to cover costs. The Tribute Parade celebration includes an opportunity to support the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® financially through an online giving campaign. 2020 has proven to be financially disastrous, and we need your support as we make plans for 2021. Each year, the Festival provides a positive economic impact to our local economy and many local charities rely on Festival events to raise funds. These worthy organizations include local church youth groups, scouts, civic clubs and other non-profits. Without your support and generosity, we cannot guarantee future Festivals or the type of springtime celebration that we are normally accustomed to.

You may be asking, what should I expect if I tune in to watch the Tribute Parade on May 2? The Festival has years of parade video and photography along with candid celebrity interviews. Our Tribute Parade will include a mix of old and new footage packaged together that encompasses all things, Apple Blossom.

How do I support the Festival during these hard economic times? We know that many organizations and businesses are hurting financially right now, and they are all deserving of your help. As a Festival that has been around for 93 years, we have touched the lives of millions of festival-goers over the years, and we want to be around at least another 93 years, but we cannot do it without your support. As you consider contributing, think about family and friends who have traveled to our community in the past to celebrate with us and ask them for $10, $20, $50 or $100 towards our cause. Ask your friends to form a team to raise funds for the Festival through our GoBloom account or mail in a tax-deducible contribution to the Festival office at 135 North Cameron Street, Winchester, VA 22601.  All of these options are available, and we appreciate your support and generosity. The top fundraiser will receive a landscape makeover valued at $1,500 just before the next Festival in April 2021 compliments of our friends at C&J Lawn Care and Grand Feature Parade seats and catering for up to 10 friends.

Even if you are unable to contribute towards our on-line giving campaign, we want you to enjoy the Tribute Parade on May 2 in the comfort and safety of your home. In uncertain times like these, we are all seeking normalcy and there’s nothing like celebrating 93 years of family, fun, and tradition that is the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®.

You are invited on April 24 at 8:00pm to give a Cheers to the Bloom (#cheers2thebloom).

A virtual event where we will join together to take a moment, raise a glass and toast future successful Apple Blossom Festivals!
We can also raise a glass and say cheers to the workers saving lives and risking their own, the workers keeping our shelves stocked and gas pumps full and anyone else that you know that is making a difference in this community. We want you to share your cheers to the Bloom and show the world just how much our community cares.

On Facebook: Go to our post at 7:45 or after on April 24 and share your photos and videos of you and your quarantined group to give a cheer. Everyone can join!. #cheers2thebloom
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On Instagram: tag us @officialsabf and use #cheers2thebloom

We suggest:

1. First invite your friends to join (virtually) on our Facebook Event in raising a glass #cheers2thebloom.
2. Everyone can join in, sippy cups and water bowls, beer, wine, water or apple juice!
3. If you are the creative type, come up with a catchy toast that best describes the moment.
4. Come one (or less than 10) and share your picture or video with us!
5. Maybe find your Wine Fest glass from last year?
6. Maybe wear your best pink and green?
7. Take a screen shot if you gather virtually and send it!
8. From the comfort of your home, let’s share a Apple Blossom moment.

#cheers2thebloom

​To all of our volunteers, fans, supporters, and the community at large, public safety has been and always will be the top priority of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®.  In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic and the CDC’s recent recommendation regarding large gatherings, the Board of Directors has made the painful decision to suspend all planning for the 93rd Festival.  As you can imagine we do not take this difficult decision lightly, but one we had to make for the safety of our community.   Please remember such an action is not without precedent.  The Festival suspended all activities for four years during WWII.  We will get through these trying times together just as we did then.  Watch for updated information on our website at www.thebloom.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.  Thank you for your support of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®.  We feel the future of the Festival remains strong.

One of the great community traditions during Festival time is the hanging of the pink & green. We want to encourage everyone to display your buntings, banners and flags as you always do. If we can’t celebrate together, let’s share the spirit of Apple Blossom by painting the town in our favorite colors.  It is and will always be FOREVER APPLE BLOSSOM!

Barry Carper, President
Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®