​Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival ® president, Sharen Gromling, is pleased to announce another hometown connection to the exciting lineup of the festival’s guest celebrities. Kate Flannery, multi-talented entertainer and former Shenandoah University student, will be serving as the Co-Grand Marshal alongside Brian Sullivan for the 2023 Live, Love, Bloom springtime extravaganza. 
 
Kate Flannery is an actor, singer, and writer best known for her nine seasons as Meredith, the drunk, on NBC’s The Office. Kate was a fan favorite on Season 28 of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. She has guest starred on many TV shows like CBS’s Young Sheldon, FOX’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine and New Girl, ABC’s American Housewife and has recurred on shows like Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe & Comedy Central’s, Another Period.  Kate has been seen in many Indie films including the soon-to-be released HBO film, Golden Arm.
 
Kate toured with the Dancing with the Stars Live Tour at Radio City and 40 cities before the COVID-19 shut down. 
 
Kate sings with Jane Lynch in their anti-cabaret act, Two Lost Souls, seen in performing arts centers and theaters across the country and at the Cafe Carlyle in NYC. Kate is also featured on Jane’s hit album, A Swingin’ Little Christmas, which was in the Billboard top 10 for several weeks. 
 
Audiences have also seen Kate in her cult comedy lounge act, The Lampshades, and during her time in Chicago’s Second City national touring company.
 
Kate will appear in the Glo Fiber Grand Feature Parade on Saturday, May 6 at 1:30 p.m.  The appearance of the parade grand marshals is sponsored by P&G.

Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® President, Sharen Gromling, is pleased to welcome Ashburn, Virginia native and reigning 2022 Miss Virginia, Victoria Chuah, to the Festival this spring.  She is no stranger to the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® as she was Miss Apple Blossom 2019.  

Victoria obtained her Bachelors and Masters Degrees of Science in Computer Science from the University of Pittsburgh in May 2022, graduating Summa Cum Laude with honors in four years. She was featured on the Morgan Stanley billboard in Times Square and is one of their incoming software engineers.

Victoria was selected Miss Virginia 2022 in Roanoke, VA on June 25, 2022, and was the recipient of $22,500 in scholarships. She was also awarded the overall Social Impact Award with her initiative 4A: Awareness & Advocacy for Adults with Autism which is inspired by her 19-year-old brother Luke who lives with autism. As Miss Virginia, she is using her voice to advocate the need for Home Life Community - community developments for adults on the autism spectrum providing services and long-term support plans for them to thrive.   

Victoria was awarded a $10,000 “Women in Stem” scholarship at Miss America in December.

She also serves as the ABC Spokesperson for promoting healthy choices and substance abuse prevention to students in Virginia’s elementary schools as part of Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority’s Miss Virginia School Tour program.

As part of her year of service, she makes personal appearances to promote local businesses and non-profits as well as the keynote speaker at various events across the Commonwealth participating in fundraising events and conferences. Her advocacy within these diverse arenas offers schools the opportunity to target the programs that best meet the needs of their students.  

Victoria will be visiting many festival events during her return to our springtime homecoming.  Among those events are the Coronation, presented by Morgan Orthodontics, and the Hang 10 Car Wash Firefighters’ Parade on May 5.  She will then ride in the Glo Fiber Grand Feature Parade, which begins at 1:30 p.m. on May 6.  

Tickets to Festival events are available at www.thebloom.com/events.

​Two-time Super Bowl Champion and Washington Redskins legend, Gary Clark, has been announced as a Special Sports Guest by Festival President, Sharen Gromling.  In 1985, Clark was selected in the second round of the NFL draft by the Washington Redskins and went on to playing 11 seasons in the NFL. 

Clark is considered one of the toughest players in Redskins history, a tenacious blocker and consummate professional.   He was the first wide receiver in NFL history to catch at least 50 passes in his rookie season. Clark was one of the top wide receivers in the National Football League at the time of his retirement, ranking 8th in receptions and 7th in receiving yards. Clark was a two-time Super Bowl Champion, two-time Redskins MVP, three-time All Pro, four-time Pro Bowler, and an eight-time All-Madden Team member. Clark’s “competitive fire, tenacity, and ability to make clutch, game-changing plays,” made him a favorite of legendary commentator, John Madden. 

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Clark, Ricky Sanders and Hall-of-Fame wide receiver Art Monk were nicknamed “The Posse” for being one of the best receiving corps in the NFL.  Clark’s NFL career totaled 699 receptions and 10,856 yards. He scored 65 touchdowns; 58 of those came with Washington.  Gary Clark is recognized as one of the 70 Greatest Redskins list and was honored as an NFL Hall of Fame Nominee.  Gary was inducted into the Washington DC Sports Hall of Fame, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2007 into the Washington Redskins Ring of Honor. 

Gary attended James Madison University (JMU) and was inducted into the JMU Hall of Fame in 1994. As a Duke, Clark held every significant JMU receiving record at the end of his college career.  Clark was named Virginia Offensive Player in 1982 and Honorable All American in 1982 and 1983. He was the first player in JMU Football history to win a Super Bowl Championship and the first ever to have his #80 jersey retired by the University.

Clark’s outstanding college career stood out when the United State Football League (USFL) was formed in 1984.  Clark was the first ever draft pick for the Jacksonville Bulls and the first JMU player to be drafted as a first round pick by a professional team.  His impact with the Bulls soon came to the attention of Washington Redskins.  

Gary C. Clark is the Founder of Gary Clark Incorporated and Co-Founder of T&G Real Estate Advisors and The MetaVerse Sports Group.  A serial entrepreneur, Gary considers his five children, Gari, Aiden, Nathaniel, Gabriella and Gary 2.0, his greatest joy.
Clark, a native Virginian from Radford, Pulaski County High School grad, JMU Football standout, and Washington Redskins legend will attend many festival events including the Coronation of Queen Shenandoah presented by Morgan Orthodontics and the Hang 10 Car Wash Firefighters’ Parade.  Gary will speak at the Partlow Insurance Sports Breakfast on Saturday morning, May 6 at the Tolley Dental Zone in the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletic and Event Center on the campus of Shenandoah University Campus and then ride in the Glo Fiber Grand Feature Parade.

​Sharen Gromling, President of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival is delighted to announce Natalie Woodward, Miss Virginia Association of Fairs 2023, as a special Festival guest.  Natalie’s participation will highlight the festival’s dedication to agricultural heritage and community spirit.  

Natalie Woodward, representing our area’s very own Frederick County Fair, was crowned Miss Virginia Association of Fairs 2023 during the 105th conference of the Virginia Association Fairs at the historic Williamsburg Lodge in January 2023. She aspires to earn her Bachelor’s of Science in nursing with a focus on becoming a nurse anesthetist. In the fall, she will transfer to a four-year university after obtaining her Associate of Arts and Sciences degree from Laurel Ridge Community College. A graduate of Sherando High School, Natalie was a member of the National Honor Society, a 4-year honor roll student, and she was named Cheerleader of the Year. In preparation for her nursing career, she is a Certified Nursing Assistant.

Natalie’s personal platform is “The Confidence Campaign” in which she helps others build their confidence through self-kindness. The Confidence Campaign is a combination of printable, readable, and watchable resources that focus on implementing kindness in everyday life. These tools create a mindset that is filled with contagious positivity and allow everyone to shine bright. She has spoken to over 500 students in the Commonwealth, sharing her important message. In addition, she is very involved with her local food pantry, serving on its governing board that assists over 50 families biweekly.

During her year of service, Natalie will travel across Virginia serving as the official ambassador for the Virginia Association of Fairs at many fairs and festivals.  She will also be the spokesperson for the Miss VAF community service program, “Read to Succeed” that, in just a few years, has collected nearly 40,000 books. The VAF serves its members through representation, education, information, and direction which will enhance their productivity, economic viability, and administrative capability, thus enhancing the economic growth, development, and quality of life of Virginia communities.

Natalie will be appearing at various festival events Friday, May 5, including the Coronation, presented by Morgan Orthodontics, and the Hang 10 Car Wash Firefighters’ Parade.  She will ride on the Frederick County Fair float in the Glo Fiber Grand Feature Parade, which begins at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 6. Tickets to Festival events are available at www.thebloom.com/events.

​Sharen Gromling, President of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® is pleased to announce Elizabeth Lynch as the featured speaker for the Ladies Horticultural Luncheon presented by Spring Arbor Assisted Living.
 
Elizabeth Lynch made history when she became the second Miss West Virginia to make the Top Five at the Miss America Competition. The Martinsburg native finished as 3rd runner up to Miss America 2023 Grace Stanke from Wisconsin. A summa cum laude graduate of Delaware State University and a recent graduate of West Virginia University with a Master of Science in Food and Nutritional Science, Lynch will enter a Ph.D. program next fall, putting her $42,500 in scholarship earnings to good use.
 
A first-generation agriculturalist, Elizabeth is dedicating her year of service to agricultural industry promotion through her social impact “Growing Up, Growing Ag: Advocating for Agriculture”. She stated, "Agriculture is the backbone of our great nation. As Miss West Virginia, I will continue sharing the importance of agriculture and encourage everyone to thank a farmer.” Elizabeth’s message is two-fold:  She wants everyone to understand where our food comes from and how it reaches our dining tables.  Secondly, she wants to introduce young adults to the possibility of a career in the agricultural industry.
 
While at Delaware State University, Elizabeth was a D1 equestrian athlete, Presidential Scholar, and a Chi Alpha Sigma National Athletic Honors Society member. She is the recipient of the Evelyn Talbott Memorial Award for Outstanding Community Service and the “Circle of Hearts” Miana Steward Memorial Award for her contribution to Horses with Hearts.
 
During graduate school, Elizabeth worked closely with Poultry Specialists to facilitate and conduct research and with the WVU Pilot Feed Mill for feed manufacturing. Most recently she taught agriculture extension workshops across the state as a WVU graduate research assistant.
 
Turning to social media, her weekly “Farmer Friday” broadcast features interviews with leaders in agriculture, farming, distribution and more.  Every Friday guests tell their stories and often share important news as it happens in the industry.  With more than 30 episodes and 3000 listeners on YouTube, “Farmer Friday” gives a voice to those in the industry while educating the public.
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The Ladies Horticultural Luncheon will be held at Millwood Station Banquet Hall, 252 Costello Drive, on Friday, May 5, from 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.  Tickets are available by calling 540-662-3409. 

​Eric Dickerson, Pro football Hall of Fame and record-breaking running back has been named Co-Sports Marshal by Sharen Gromling, president of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®
 
Dickerson was selected second overall in the 1983 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. An immediate success, he established rookie records for most rushing attempts (390), most rushing yards gained (1,808) and most touchdowns rushing (18), including another two receiving touchdowns. His efforts earned him All-Pro, Pro Bowl, Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors.
 
In his second season, Dickerson continued his onslaught on the NFL record book becoming a member of the 2000 rushing yards club. Twelve times in 1984 he gained more than 100 yards rushing, breaking the record of 100-yard games in a season held by O.J. Simpson. His 2,105 total yards rushing beat Simpson’s 1973 NFL season record of 2,003 yards. No one has since rushed for more yards in a single NFL season. Dickerson retired from the NFL as the 2nd leading rusher of all-time and in 1999 he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Dickerson was named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. He is widely considered as one of the greatest running backs of all time. 
 
Russ Potts, a Winchester sports enthusiast, while athletic director at SMU from 1978-1982, developed a friendship with Dickerson (SMU 1979-1982) that lasted through the years.  Dickerson and Craig James, currently New England Patriots ESPN analyst, were running backs.  SMU went 11-0 in the 1982 season. The duo of Dickerson and James became known as "The Pony Express", coined by Potts, referencing the SMU mascot, the Mustangs. Dickerson was inducted into the College Hall of Fame in 2021 for SMU.
 
Marcus Allen shared his positive 2015 Apple Blossom experience as Sport Marshal with Dickerson.  Dickerson and his wife, Penny Sutton, graciously in turn, accepted the Festival invitation and will attend festival events on Friday, May 5, including the Coronation, presented by Morgan Orthodontics, and the Hang 10 Car Wash Firefighters’ Parade.  He will be a featured speaker on Saturday, May 6, at the Partlow Insurance Sports Breakfast at the Tolley Zone in the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletic and Event Center on the campus of Shenandoah University.   They will then ride in the Glo Fiber Grand Feature Parade, which begins at 1:30 p.m. Dickerson's appearance is sponsored by Omps Funeral Home and Cremation Center.
 
Tickets to Festival events are available at www.thebloom.com/events.

His hometown community has called the play, and Nazeeh Johnson, local gridiron hero and 2023 Super Bowl Champion with the Kansas City Chiefs, has been named Co-Sports Marshal by Sharen Gromling, president of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®
 
Nazeeh Johnson triumphed as a 2023 Super Bowl Champion with the Kansas City Chiefs this past February. He achieved a goal of his youth!  When he was five years old, after playing a few games of little league football, he went to his parents saying, “Dad, Mom!  I’m going to play in the NFL!”  His parents told him, as any parent would do, “Okay, son, just know that you can definitely do it, but it won’t be easy.” Since that moment, Nazeeh has worked his way to the top.   Johnson has said, “I believe in living in the now and taking advantage of all my opportunities.” His parents are Kisha and Brian Brown of Winchester. 
 
The rookie safety entered his first season with the Chiefs in 2022, being drafted in the 7th round (Pick #259). Johnson was waived on August 30, and the next day he was signed to the practice squad.  On September 28, his name became part of the active roster.  His running speed is described as explosive or like a rocket.  In his first season, Johnson led the Chiefs in Special Teams tackles and played a crucial part in the longest punt return in NFL Super Bowl history, as the Chiefs went on to win Super Bowl LVII.
 
Johnson’s football career began with youth tackle football, participating in leagues across Northern Virginia and locally in the Shenandoah Valley including Fairfax, Prince William, and Clarke County.  The family ultimately made the Frederick County community their home. 
 
While playing youth football in Clarke County, Johnson was called “Z Bolt”, which eventually became “Bolt” or “Z”.  While at James Wood Middle School and Millbrook High School, he ran track to develop more speed and played basketball to enhance his agility. Millbrook High School Pioneers was the next step to reaching his ultimate goal.  Johnson graduated from Millbrook High School in 2016.
 
Johnson was unranked coming out of high school but enrolled as a “preferred walked-on” with the Marshall Thundering Herd. In 2018 he earned his scholarship with Marshall.  He started four seasons in 44 of 45 games. His had 302 tackles, six tackles with loss, one sack, seven interceptions, a defensive touchdown, and defended19 passes.  His Herd Pro Day was incredibly productive and meaningful, running a 4.35-second 40-yard dash and jumping an impressive 42.5 inches. Johnson was named All-Conference USA for three seasons, and he received the Unsung Hero Award in his final year. This honor is awarded to Herd players who make significant contributions to team success and are least recognized. 
 
Nazeeh Johnson is described as humble and quiet.  He prefers spending time with his family and loved ones.  Family, football, video games, and community:  these are what Nazeeh hold near and dear to his heart.   And he is near to the hearts of those in his community.  Winchester and fans across the region were focused on #13 and cheered him all the way to his final play on that Super Bowl Sunday 2023. 
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Nazeeh and his wife, Kensley, will be attending festival events on Friday, May 5, including the Coronation, presented by Morgan Orthodontics, and the Hang 10 Car Wash Firefighters’ Parade.  He will be a featured speaker on Saturday, May 6 at the Partlow Insurance Sports Breakfast at the Tolley Zone in the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletic and Convention Center on Shenandoah University Campus.   They will then ride in the Glo Fiber Grand Feature Parade, which begins at 1:30 p.m.   Johnson’s appearance is sponsored by Omps Funeral Home and Cremation Center.
 
Tickets to Festival events are available at www.thebloom.com/events.

​The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival is pleased to announce that writer and civic advocate, Pete Davis, will speak at the Valley Health Business at the Bloom presented by Top of Virginia Regional Chamber. The luncheon will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at the Tolley Dental Zone in the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics & Events Center on the campus of Shenandoah University.  Davis is the author of Dedicated: The Case for Commitment in an Age of Infinite Browsing and co-producer of Join or Die, a feature documentary on community in America.  
 
Pete resides in Falls Church, Virginia where he works on civic projects aimed at deepening American democracy and solidarity.  He is the co-founder of the Democracy Policy Network, a state policy organization focused on raising up ideas that deepen democracy.  In 2015, he co-founded Getaway, a company that provides simple, unplugged escapes to tiny cabins outside of major cities.  His 2018 Harvard Law School graduation speech, “A Counterculture of Commitment,” has been viewed more than 30 million times. 
 
Pete is also the author of Our Bicentennial Crisis: A Call to Action for Harvard Law School’s Public Interest Mission, a book on reviving Harvard Law School’s public interest mission, and the co-author of How To Get Away: Finding Balance in our Overworked, Overcrowded, Always-On World, a book articulating Getaway’s philosophy of balancing technology and disconnection, city and nature, and work and leisure. His opinion pieces have appeared in The New York Daily News, Aeon, The Guardian, Fast Company, America Magazine, and The Falls Church News-Press.
 
Tickets for Valley Health Business at the Bloom presented by Top of Virginia Regional Chamber are available at www.thebloom.com/events.

​Sharen Gromling, President of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® is pleased to announce 1987 Miss America, Kellye Cash as the keynote speaker for the Prayer Brunch presented by Knouse Foods/Musselman's. 
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As the first child of retired Navy Captain and Mrs. Roy Cash, Jr., Kellye learned at an early age of her need for Christ.  Her father's career as a U.S. Navy fighter pilot took them all over the country and even overseas. It was during the Vietnam Conflict that Kellye realized that even when Dad came home, there would still be an emptiness in her life and that emptiness could only be filled with Jesus Christ. At a small revival in Escondido, CA, Kellye asked Christ to come into her life, and often says this:  She found a Father who never went to sea, a Friend who loved her just the way that she was with all her the quirkiness that comes from being a musician, and she found Forgiveness no matter what she did or was going to do.
 
Following her year as Miss America 1987 which included performances with her great-uncle Johnny Cash, Bob Hope, and Lee Greenwood, Kellye returned to the University of Memphis to continue her studies and launch her career as a performer and speaker. Kellye continued her community service platform and substance-abuse awareness by becoming the first spokesperson for the Governor’s Alliance for a Drug-free Tennessee, which became the official Miss Tennessee platform.
 
She works in the Bethel University Music Department as music director, a piano/voice teacher, a concert artist, and as a musical director for community theatre productions.
 
Recently Kellye played Patsy Cline, a role she’s become known for, in her 13th production and/or tour of ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE.
 
The Festival Prayer Brunch presented by Knouse Foods will be held at Fellowship Bible Church, 3217 Middle Road, Friday, May 5, 2023, from 11 am to 1 pm. Tickets at $40 are available at www.thebloom.com/events.