The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® received a $20,000 grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC)’s Special Events & Festivals Sponsorship Program (SEF) for its Air Show, Comedy Show, Blossom Artisan & Faire and Family Fun Party events.
The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® will supply $20,000 in matching funds for the ten-day festival with over fifty exciting events, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy. From 2 parades and a 10K race to dances, luncheons, and dinners, the festivities offer a wide range of activities for all ages. This year, we aim to emphasize and focus on four new events to increase hotel occupancy and boost event attendance. The first weekend of the festival, Friday, April 25 to Sunday, April 27, 2025, we have three new events planned: the Air Show presented by Omps Funeral Home and Cremation Center at the Winchester Regional Airport, a Comedy Show, and the Blossom Artisan and Faire featuring a kids zone. Additionally, we have added the Valley Pediatric Dentistry Family Fun Party on Tuesday, April 29th, at the Tolley Dental Zone at Shenandoah University’s James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics & Event Center. These new events are set to attract visitors from outside the area, encouraging overnight stays and boosting tourism, in addition to the 50 other festival events. Our goal is to highlight these exciting additions and draw visitors from throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

Virginia Tourism Corporation will award more than $812,139 in matching grant funds to 81 special events and festivals as part of this program, ultimately impacting 324 combined partners. The VTC Special Events & Festivals Sponsorship Program is designed to leverage
local marketing and event production dollars with matching state funds to increase overnight visitation, improve the visitor experience, and increase traveler spending at Virginia special events and festivals. The program also extends the Virginia is for Lovers brand to drive special event and festival visitation. Each Go Virginia region is limited to 20% of available funds creating a matrix of sponsored special events and festivals statewide.

Using the hub and spoke tourism model to create multi-day itineraries, four Virginia entities partner financially to apply for funding. Partners may consist of Virginia cities, towns, counties, destination marketing organizations, restaurants, museums, attractions, and other tourism-related businesses. With the special event or festival as the main lure, the program is designed to encourage visitors to extend their stay to experience Virginia Main Streets, boutique shopping, unique restaurants, and historic sites creating significant economic impact driven by the special event or festival.

This funding cycle, local partners will commit more than $4.8 million in private-public sector funds to match the VTC funding, providing more than $5.62 million in new marketing and event production activity focused on increasing overnight visitation to Virginia in 2025. "At Wilkins Shoe Center, we not only enjoy the festivities and proudly sponsor an event, but being located in Old Town—where so many events take place—offers excellent exposure for our store. We've made lasting connections with customers who return from all over  the country after discovering our 'mom and pop shop' during the festival. Many of our loyal customers choose shoes that combine style and comfort, making them ideal for their adventures along the Apple Blossom Trail of events."
Kendra and Phil Brewer
Wilkins Shoe Center

“Special events and festivals are at the heart of what makes Virginia such a unique and vibrant destination,” said Rita McClenny, President and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation. “We are excited to support these events through the Special Events & Festivals Sponsorship Program, helping to create unforgettable experiences while increasing overnight visitation and traveler spending in Virginia.”

VTC will have additional grant and sponsorship rounds opening throughout 2025. Organizations and businesses that are interested in applying may visit vatc.org/grants for more information.

A full list of funding recipients for all grant programs can be found here.

Out-of-state visitors and Virginians alike are encouraged to visit www.virginia.org to start travel planning for these special events and festivals in the New Year.

The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® is a long-standing annual event held in Winchester, Virginia, typically in late April to early May. Established in 1924, the festival celebrates the region's apple-growing heritage with a wide array of activities and events that attract tens of thousands of visitors each year.

The festival also includes a pink-and-green theme, reflecting its iconic colors, and many participants dress in corresponding hues. It's a vibrant celebration of community spirit, agricultural heritage, and small-town charm.

About Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC)
Virginia is for Lovers is one of the most iconic and recognizable travel brands in the world. Using that powerful brand equity, Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) is charged with promoting the Commonwealth as a premier travel destination by showcasing all there is to love in a Virginia vacation. The dollars spent by travelers fuel the economy, provide jobs for Virginians, and improve communities across the state. Simply put, tourism helps make Virginia a great place to live, work, and vacation. Learn more at virginia.org.

​Five boys have been selected to serve as Pages in the Court of Queen Shenandoah XCVIII during the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®, April 25th through May 4th, 2025. The Pages are Brody Michael Hott, Maximus James Keyser, Beau Rudolph Lowers, Blake Cooper Motichka, and Maxwell Douglas Patton.

Brody Hott is the son of Sarah Hott-Hight and stepson of Thomas Hight of Stephenson, VA and the son of Jeremy Hott of Winchester, VA. He is the grandson of Mary and David Hammond of Winchester, Elayne and Morris Gill of Fincastle, VA, Betty and Wayne Hott of Winchester, and the late Allen Hamrick. Brody is a fourth-grade student at Redbud Run Elementary School. He is a member of BRYSA Soccer and the Virginia Valley Vipers Basketball team.

Maximus Keyser is the son of Kimberly and Blaine Keyser of Round Hill, VA. He is the grandson of Mary and Michael Noel and Theodore Pennington all of Winchester, and Dawna and Allen Keyser of Frederick, MD. Maximus is a third-grade student at Round Hill Elementary School. He plays baseball, enjoys science and robotic activities, is a LEGO® fanatic, and often can be found playing with his siblings and friends.

Beau Lowers is the son of Stephanie Murphy-Rickard and stepson of David Rickard, both of Winchester. Beau is a fourth-grade student at Greenwood Mill Elementary School where he has started a comic book artist club. He is a member of the local flag football and basketball leagues. Beau is a member of Treehouse Music Studio where he is studying piano. He loves volunteering to read to animals at the local SPCA, collecting coins (numismatics), and recently helped his sibling collect donations for birthday cake kits to give to families in the community.

Blake “Cooper” Motichka is the son of Taylor and Jonathan Motichka of Winchester. He is the grandson of Teresa Hoffman of Winchester, Barb Motichka and Marjorie and Thomas Motichka, all three of Chambersburg, PA, and the late Tony Hoffman. He is a fourth-grade student at Powhatan School where he received a Powhatan Blue Award, an award to honor a student with exemplary behavior. Cooper is a member of Powhatan’s Battle of the Books (BOB) group and designed the shirt work for competitions. He enjoys golfing with his dad and being outside especially at the pool or on the lake with his family. He has an avid love for building, especially LEGO® creations.

Maxwell Patton is the son of Kristen and Kevin Patton of Winchester. He is the grandson of Patti and Steve Sale and Bobbi and Bruce Patton, all of Winchester. Maxwell is a fourth-grade student at Orchard View. He is a member of Red Lion Wrestling, Winchester Baseball, and the Frederick County Flag Football team. When not in competition, he enjoys hunting and fishing. His father, Kevin, was a page in the Court of Queen Shenandoah LXI, Mary Clancy Collins.

​The Pages will participate in the Coronation Ceremony of Queen Shenandoah XCVIII at John Handley High School on Friday, May 2nd, 2025, and will ride on the Queen’s float in the Grand Feature Parade on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025.

​Landrie Bultrowicz is the daughter of Sadie and Scott Bultrowicz of Bunker Hill, WV. She is the granddaughter of Kimberly and R.K. Shirley of Stephens City, VA and Aracely and Scott Bultrowicz of Leesburg, VA. Landrie is a fourth-grade student at Mill Creek Intermediate. Outside of school, she enjoys softball and crochet. Her mother, Sadie, was a princess in the court of Queen Shenandoah LXXXVI, Rachel Lynn Matthews. 

Amelia “Mia” Hunt is the daughter of Jennifer and Douglas Hunt of Harpers Ferry, WV. She is the granddaughter of Kriste and John Strawbridge of Franklin, PA, Maria Quillin of Lexington, VA, and Rose and Guy Hunt of Clarksville, TN. Mia is a fourth-grade student at Driswood Elementary School. She is a member of team Epic Storm with the Epic Soccer Club and Kabletown Mountaineers 4H club. Mia volunteers in her community and loves crafting. Along with friends, she has a business Three Sisters Jewelry. She enjoys seeing new places, camping, and vacationing with her family. 

Hazel Kump is the daughter of Amy and Cyrus Kump of Winchester, VA. She is the granddaughter of Gayle and John Goodloe of Winchester and Susan and Cyrus Kump of Elkins, WV. Hazel is a fourth-grade student at Frederick Douglass Elementary School. She is a member of the Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy where she is studying ballet. Hazel is also a member of the Winchester Swim Team, Blue Ridge United Soccer, and The Bloom Children’s Choir. She attends First Presbyterian Church. Hazel’s mother, Amy, was a Little Maid to Queen Shenandoah LVI, Dana Lee Conners, and Maid of Honor in the court of Queen Shenandoah LXVIII, Jamie Nicole Dudney.

​Audrey Sutphin is the daughter of Ashley and Tim Sutphin of Winchester. She is the granddaughter of Paula and R. Wayne Corbett and Kathy and Robert Sutphin, all of Winchester. Audrey is a fierce competitor in soccer, basketball, and swimming. She has been training in violin for 3 years and at Italia Performing Arts in ballet for 6 years. She enjoys creating art, spending time with family, being outdoors, and reading books, especially Harry Potter. Audrey attends Burnt Factory Church where she is an active part of the youth group and helps to serve meals at a local soup kitchen. Her mother, Ashley, was a Princess in the court of Queen Shenandoah LXXVII, Cydney Cathalene Chase.

​Andrea “Andie” Wadsworth is the daughter of Ann and Tony Wadsworth of Winchester. She is the granddaughter of Andrea and Douglass Koenker and Ann and Larry Wadsworth, all of Winchester. Andie is a fourth-grade student at the Independent School of Winchester. She participates in the Winchester Country Club Tennis program and is a member of Go Valley Volleyball. Andie plays piano and is an avid reader. 

The Little Maids will participate in the Coronation Ceremony of Queen Shenandoah XCVIII at John Handley High School on Friday, May 2nd, 2025, and will ride on the Queen’s float in the Grand Feature Parade on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025