2021 Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® Theme: “Back in Bloom”

Winchester, VA – It is impossible to overlook the trials, tribulations, and uncertainties of 2020.  Surely we all wish to forget certain parts of the year that was affected by a worldwide pandemic which caused havoc and raised fear.  Fittingly enough, the 2020 Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® theme “Forever Apple Blossom”  will go down as one of the most appropriate and inspirational messages in Festival history.  It was and continues to be a message of hope that rose above the panic, anxiety, and insecurities that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic.

With a new year, we are promised a fresh start.  In 2021 the Festival will be “Back in Bloom.”  This uplifting theme will resonate far and wide as we plan out our favorite springtime celebration.  The tradition of Festival themes has become an annual ritual that warrants its own celebration.  The unveiling of the theme and its unique artwork represents the official kickoff for the new Festival and is the foundation for building momentum through the unveiling of newsworthy events and special guest details throughout the winter and early spring months leading up to the start of the Festival.

The 2021 theme artwork was designed once again by the Festival’s Graphic Designer, Erik Zimmerman, of White Spider, Inc.  The theme’s message reflects the challenges of the 93rd Festival, and the Festival will be “Back” in 2021, and we will be ready to “Bloom.”  “I wanted the design to be bright, vibrant, simple, and strong, while focusing on the longstanding tradition of The Bloom,” stated Zimmerman. The swirling shapes making up the blossom is a personal style that Erik has used in other illustrations throughout his career.  The background is a washed overlay on protruding bands of color. The choice of bright pink and green was to create some pop and a feel of excitement. The title was inspired by the secondary applied font and was modified by hand to mimic the swirling style of the overall retro design.

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​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 | [email protected] | www.thebloom.com

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