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Tommy Price, president of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® announces with pleasure that Tony Dorsett will be returning to the Festival for his third visit, this time as Father of Queen Shenandoah XCV, Mia Dorsett. Additionally, Dorsett will be a guest speaker at the Partlow Insurance Sports Breakfast. Tony was first a sports guest in 1985 as the outstanding, leading rusher for the Dallas Cowboy. During our 85th Festival in 2012, he proudly crowned his daughter, Jazmyn, “Jazz”, as Queen Shenandoah LXXXV.
Anthony “Tony” Dorsett was born to Wes and Myrtle Dorsett on April 7, 1954, in Rochester, Pennsylvania. When his parents moved to be near the Jones and Laughlin Steel Mill in Aliquippa when Tony was young, they hoped at least one of their seven children would reach beyond the town's limits. Tony was the one who did. He had visions that went beyond the steel gray hue of the Western Pennsylvania projects that he called home. While Tony was still attending Hopewell High School in Aliquippa, his coach made a wise decision to switch him from linebacker to running back. Dorsett gained 1,034 yards as a junior in high school, and his record of excellence continued unabated when he moved on to college at the University of Pittsburgh. Dorsett's record with the Panthers was legendary. He was named to an All-America team as a freshman and again as a junior and senior. Playing under Coach Johnny Majors, Dorsett became the first college back to rush for 1,000 or more yards all four seasons and the first to gain more than 1,500 yards for three years. As a Senior, he had his best season rushing for 1,948 yards and 21 touchdowns. He crowned a brilliant collegiate career by being named All-American four times and winning the coveted Heisman Trophy in 1976. He is considered one of the greatest running backs in college football history. In the 1977 draft, the Dallas Cowboys were quick to select Tony in the first round. He won consensus rookie of the year honors in helping Dallas win Super Bowl XII. Tony is one of the top ten all-time leading rushers in the NFL. In 1982, Tony captured his first NFC rushing title and established an unbreakable NFL record by racing 99 yards from scrimmage for a touchdown. Tony served as team captain in '81, '82 and '84. He was voted to the Pro Bowl in '78, '81, '82 and '83. In 1981 he earned consensus All-Pro honors and was named NFC Player of the Year by UPI. In a 1979 Gallup Youth Survey of American teenagers' favorite sports personalities, Tony finished second to Roger Staubach. 1994 was a banner year for Tony. He was inducted into the prestigious Dallas Cowboys’ Ring of Honor, the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Tony lives with wife Janet in the Dallas area and has three beautiful daughters and a son, Anthony, who also played in the NFL. Tony is involved in many community activities and charities in Dallas, including ALS, March of Dimes, Minnie’s Food Pantry and the Tony Evans Ministry. Tony also supports the McGuire Memorial Foundation in Pittsburgh, a facility for handicapped children and Minnie’s Food Pantry. The Coronation of Queen Shenandoah presented by Morgan Orthodontics will be held at Handley High School on Friday, April 29, at 1:30 p.m. The Partlow Insurance Sports Breakfast will be on Saturday, April 30, at 8 a.m. at the Tolley Dental Zone inside the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletic and Events Center located on the campus of Shenandoah University. Tickets for Festival events are available at www.thebloom.com/events. NOTABLE HONORS Four Time NCAA All American First Player in NCAA History with 4 - 1,000 Yard Seasons and 3 - 1,500 Yard Seasons 1976 Heisman Trophy NFL Rookie of the Year 1977 NFL All Pro Four Time Pro Bowl Player 12 Year Career Only Missed Six Games 2nd All-Time Leading Rusher in post season play - 1,383 yards 2nd All-Time NFL Rusher at time of retirement Hold NFL record for longest run from the line of scrimmage 99 yards in ‘83 against Minnesota Two NFL Super Bowls XII-1978; XIII-1979 5 NFC Championship Games Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor 1994 College Football Hall of Fame 1994 NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame 1994 first year of eligibility COMMUNITY SERVICE Easter Seals Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Denver Cancer Foundation American Heart Association Muscular Dystrophy United Negro College Fund Make a WISH Foundation United Way Special Olympics McGuire Memorial Home Minnie’s Food Pantry  The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® What’s New at the 2022 Bloom-Part Three release below highlights tickets and information for events that are now on sale. Festival goers are encouraged to order tickets early before popular events sell out. Stonebrook Club Tennis Tournament The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® is excited to announce the return of its annual USTA-sanctioned Stonebrook Club Tennis Tournament, presented by Partlow Insurance. Now in its sixth year, the event promises to be competitive and exciting for tennis players of all levels. The success of the tournament grows each year, attracting local and out-of-town tennis players and spectators. To register, visit www.thebloom.com. $50.00 entry fee for single event. $25.00 entry fee for double events. Registered participants receive tennis-themed items or locally sourced goodies. Trophies are awarded to champions in each division. The tournament will take place at Stonebrook Club of Winchester on Friday, April 22 through Sunday, April 24, 2022. Stonebrook Club offers nine courts: four indoor and five outdoor. Two of the outdoor courts are clay-surfaced and lit for evening play. The facility is in a lovely area of rolling hills and blooming orchards in beautiful Winchester. As the event date approaches, participants and spectators are encouraged to check for updates on www.thebloom.com or social media. You may also contact the Tennis Tournament Committee at sabftennis@gmail.com. McDonald’s Esports Tournament (New Event) The McDonald's Esports Competitive Event presented by Shenandoah University Esports is a tournament-style event offering Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Fortnite competitions hosted at the Shenandoah University Esports Arena. The event will be held on Sunday, April 24th and will run from 10am to 5pm EST. This event requires a registration fee to enter and must be submitted by 11pm EST on Saturday, April 23rd. A cash prize and other gaming related prizes such as Respawn Gaming Chairs will be available for tournament entrants to win. Competitors must be at least 13 years old to enter. Fortnite will be run on a PC, and it is recommended that you bring your own controller. Be on the lookout for specific details and additional information on www.thebloom.com as the event date comes around! Registration is $25.00 per player. Spectators are encouraged to view the competition either inside the Esports Arena (25 spectators max) or at the Shenandoah University Business School located adjacent to the Esports Arena (250 spectators max.) Viewing tickets are only $5. Visit www.thebloom.com to register to participate or purchase viewing tickets. Navy Federal Credit Union Veterans Dinner Show (New Event) Come join us at “The Bloom” for a unique experience as we celebrate our veterans at the Navy Federal Credit Union Veterans Dinner Show, presented by Omps Funeral Home & Cremation Center at 5:00 pm on Tuesday evening, April 26 at Millwood Station Events Center. Cocktail hour will feature our local Veteran Service Organizations where you can meet Veterans, learn about who they are and what they do! Dinner will open with a missing man ceremony, remembering those who are no longer with us and posting of the colors. Enjoy a dinner show with the Pin-Ups on Tour bringing back the nostalgia of the 40’s and 50’s Salute to the Troops inspired show! You may even get a chance to snap a picture with one of our period dress folks and Uncle Sam! You will also see military memorabilia of past and present. So, don your best vintage dinner dress and come show support for our brave soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and guardians! PIN-UPS ON TOUR is a good time for a great cause. From the moment guests enter the event, they will be treated to something special. The PIN-UPS ON TOUR takes great pride in recreating the magic of the Hollywood Canteen that operated during the 1940's as a club offering dancing, drinks and entertainment for service members, usually on their way overseas. The evening will feature dancing showgirls, comedy, variety acts, soulful lounge singers, vintage candy girls and more than a few surprises! With entertainment & atmosphere around every turn, guests will feel like they stepped into another era. Tickets are $50.00. The Willows at Meadow Branch Young at Heart Dance The Willows at Meadow Branch Young at Heart Luncheon and Dance will spring to life at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 28th at Millwood Station Event Center. Music provided by The Nitehawks Swing Band, to delight dancers and listeners alike as we spend an afternoon with old and new friends and dance away the day. A highlight of event festivities includes a visit by the Queen XCV-designate and her court as she begins her whirlwind weekend. The Willows at Meadow Branch Young at Heart Luncheon is truly a wonderful way to kick off your Apple Blossom weekend. We hope to see you there. Tickets are $35.00. The Village at Orchard Ridge Queen’s Dinner The Village at Orchard Ridge Queen's Dinner, presented by F&M Bank has been held for more than four decades and ushers in the celebration of the 95th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® as Queen Shenandoah XCV-designate is presented. The Queen-designate and her court will enter through an arch of sabers held by cadets from Randolph-Macon Academy and a trumpeter’s fanfare. The evening is filled with tradition and festivities, including a delicious catered meal, and gifts and greetings from special dignitaries throughout the community. The Queen’s Dinner will take place at Millwood Station Event Center on Thursday evening, April 28, 2022. Cocktail hour starts at 5:00 pm and dinner is at 6:00 pm. Tickets are $60.00. The dinner is hosted by the civic clubs of the Winchester area. Old Town Midway The Old Town Midway continues to evolve into a festive and entertaining destination. The Midway features family friendly games including water balloon races, duck ponds, fishing games, mini basketball, and others many of which are prize every-time entertainment. A family-oriented Kids Zone featuring moon bounces, rock wall, face painting, and bungee jumping. Food vendors from all over the East Coast serve traditional fair food as well as novelty and international cuisine. The live entertainment makes the atmosphere electric with local bands that have great followings. Grab a Funnel Cake, Cotton Candy, or a corn dog and enjoy the fun atmosphere! The Old Town Midway is open on Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30 from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm each day. Ladies’ Horticultural Luncheon The Ladies’ Horticultural Luncheon, presented by Spring Arbor Senior Living began as an unofficial Festival event and informal luncheon in a private home. Now it is sponsored by the Women’s Auxiliary of the Virginia State Horticultural Society and recognized as an official event of the Festival. The luncheon has grown from a small gathering to a springtime celebration enjoyed by hundreds of people. It has always been one of the most elegant activities of the Festival. A delicious lunch, an outstanding keynote speaker, wonderful door prizes, and table favors contribute to a time of food, fun, and fellowship. In the past, we have been entertained and inspired by authors, a finalist from Project Runway, and Winchester’s very own Lauryn Ricketts, a DC network meteorologist. Proceeds from this event provide scholarships for Virginia Tech horticultural students. Margo Oxidine will be the featured speaker at the Ladies’ Horticultural Luncheon. Margo writes columns for two newspapers and is a featured writer in the Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative Living magazine, seen throughout Virginia. The Ladies’ Horticultural Luncheon will take place at 10:30 am on Friday, April 29, 2022 at Millwood Station Event Center. Tickets are $35.00. Please call the Festival office at (540) 662-3863 for ticket information. Coronation of Queen Shenandoah The Coronation of Queen Shenandoah, presented by Morgan Orthodontics, is one of the oldest and most notable traditions of the Apple Blossom Festival. Many Winchester residents recall the magnificent pageants produced for so many years by the late Dr. Garland R. Quarles. Pageants were held on the steps of John Handley High School where children from all of the schools in Winchester performed for the Queen and her Court. Audiences will now enjoy a new Coronation Ceremony written and directed by Elaine Aikens. This year for the very first time, the children will participate in speaking parts for the Coronation of the Queen. The Narrator is Dr. Paul Ulich and the prelate is Reverend Mathew Borbor. The traditional Royal Command Performance is presented by The Handley Singers to honor the Queen. The Coronation takes place at John Handley High School on Friday, April 29, 2022 at 1:30 pm. Tickets are $20.00. American Woodmark Fireworks Show & TREX Music Fest Fireworks and music will resonate through the streets of Winchester on Friday evening, April 29 at dusk immediately following the Firefighters’ Parade. Family and friends by the thousands will fill the streets and gather on the campus of John Handley High School for the TREX Music Fest and American Woodmark Fireworks show. Noted as the areas grandest fireworks show, the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival is pleased to partner with TREX and American Woodmark to bring back a free fireworks and music show to our springtime celebration. Anthony’s Pizza Senseny Road Bloomin’ Sunday How can you cap off the most amazing springtime festival around? End your Apple Blossom by visiting the Anthony’s Pizza – Senseny Road Bloomin’ Sunday on May 1, 2022, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Frederick County Fairgrounds and Stonewall District Ruritans Club Grounds. This event has evolved and changed over the years to become what it is today. Maintaining some of the history and adding new activities, it is sure to entertain the entire family. There will be plenty of room for everyone to enjoy all that we have to offer including:
Tickets are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 4-10. Children under 4 years old are FREE. Firefighters’ Parade For 88 years, members of the Winchester and Frederick County firefighters have coordinated the annual Firefighters’ Parade through the streets of downtown Winchester. In 2022, the Firefighters’ Parade will step off at 5:30 p.m. on Friday evening, April 29th. Come downtown to the Midway for carnival food, games and entertainment and then head over to the parade route to see the Antique Firetruck's start with the pre-parade, some trucks date back to the early 1920's! Our local Fire Companies are in the First Division to show off their equipment. There are celebrities, Miss Honorary Fire Company winners, bands and special units. There are 4 Divisions with Fire and Rescue Equipment from all over the Mid-Atlantic Region. The final division is the Siren Division where the Fire Companies sound their horns. This is a wonderful community event, where friends and families gather to Thank our first responders. The first Torchlight and Mummers’ Parade in 1929 stepped off at 8 p.m. with each of the Winchester fire departments participating. Each firefighter carried a flaming torch. No parade was held from 1942 to 1945 during the war and 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID 19 pandemic. From this humble beginning, it is now the largest and one of the oldest annual firefighters’ parades in the world. glofiber Grand Feature Parade
Since 1941 the Winchester Host Lions Club has coordinated the glofiber Grand Feature Parade through the historic streets in downtown Winchester. In 2022, the Grand Feature Parade will step off at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, April 30th and will include five parade divisions. From start to finish the parade is nearly 4 hours long! The 195+ unit parade has special and equestrian units, floats, and marching bands. The glofiber Grand Feature Parade features bands like the Quantico Marine Band, Steelers Drumline, Community and High School bands from the Mid-Atlantic Region. The route winds for 1.5 miles around the historic downtown area and passes by the iconic John Handley High School campus. After two years of no parades due to the COVID pandemic, we are pleased to announce that a special 5th “Hero’s” Division has been added to the glofiber Grand Feature Parade lineup in 2022. Join us as we celebrate and honor the hero’s in our community who helped us get through the pandemic. Kim Sharp named as inspirational speaker for Festival’s Prayer Luncheon presented by Knouse Foods3/7/2022
 Tommy Price, president of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® is pleased to announce Kim Sharp as the keynote speaker for the Prayer Luncheon presented by Knouse Foods.
Kim Sharp was born and raised in Franklin, Indiana. She is a graduate from North Central University in Minneapolis, MN where she then served in the Student Life Department, ending her tenure there as Dean of Women. She is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God and has served on Indiana District Women's and Youth Leadership Team’s in Indiana. She has Youth & Worship pastored, Staff Pastored and launched the Indy School of Leadership with North Central University. Kim has recently concluded her time at the Johnson County Prosecutor's Office as a Special Victims Unit Advocate and has now embarked on a new journey as the National Girls Ministries Director for the General Council of the Assemblies of God in Springfield, Missouri. She travels extensively across the US and abroad sharing the hope of Jesus Christ and the power of His unfailing love. Kim’s passion is to encourage, empower and equip people to live their best life. The Festival Prayer Luncheon presented by Knouse Foods, with a change of timing for 2022, will be held at Fellowship Bible Church, 3217 Middle Road, Friday, April 29, 2022, from 11 am to 1 pm. Tickets at $40 are available at www.thebloom.com/events.  Tommy Price, Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® President, is pleased to announce Margo Oxendine as the featured speaker for the Ladies’ Horticultural Luncheon presented by Spring Arbor Assisted Living.
Margo was born in Arlington, Virginia. She was quite happy in the “big city.” But, when she was seven, her State Trooper father decided to move the family to Bath County, in the mountains of western Virginia. What a culture shock for Margo! Her classmates had friendships or kinships they had formed since birth. Margo in no way fit in with them, and they let her know it! It wasn’t until high school that Margo let her comedy gene – inherited from her father – fly free. Then, she discovered the way to make friends was to make them laugh. After majoring in Theatre at Virginia Commonwealth University, Oxendine found herself on a jaunt to Key West, Florida. There, she wandered onto a replica of a Spanish galleon, and quickly got a job with Mel Fisher’s Treasure Salvors. She spent five years diving for treasure in the Gulf of Mexico, helping to salvage the sunken Spanish galleon “Atocha.” It was a huge adventure. It also got Margo her first writing assignment: A biography of Fisher for a he-man magazine called “Argosy.” She kept writing, and even was among the first small group of Americans allowed into Fidel Castro’s Cuba, on assignment for People magazine. That wasn’t enough. She joined a local comedy troupe that enjoyed much success on the island. So, why not move to San Francisco? She did. But comedy writing quickly took a back seat to “real” writing, for magazines. A bad riding accident shipped the ailing Margo back to Bath County, where she recuperated, and began writing for the local newspaper, The Recorder. Today, she writes columns for two newspapers, and a magazine, Cooperative Living, seen throughout Virginia. She has also written a musical, “Over Here, Over There,” and a PBS Documentary, “Back Roads to Bath.” Now supposedly “retired,” she spends her time writing, reading, and walking through the woods. She’s traded shark sightings in the islands, for bear sightings in the forest. She’ll take bears over sharks any day! The Ladies’ Horticultural Luncheon will be held at Millwood Station Banquet Hall located at 252 Costello Drive, on Friday, April 29, 2022 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tickets are $35.00. Please call the Festival office at (540) 662-3863 for ticket information. Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival ® President, Tommy Price, is delighted to announce that Terry Bradshaw, NFL Hall of Famer and four-time Super Bowl winning quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers will serve as Grand Marshal of the 2022 glofiber Grand Feature Parade.
Terry Bradshaw is widely acknowledged as today’s preeminent NFL studio personality, serving in a dual role as co-host of FOX NFL SUNDAY and THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL pre-game analyst. Bradshaw has been with FOX NFL SUNDAY since its inception in 1994, and his work on America’s most-watched NFL pregame show for 26 consecutive years earned him three Sports Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Sports Personality/Analyst category in 1999, 2001 and 2008. Super Bowl LIV was Bradshaw’s ninth championship assignment for FOX, his 12th as a broadcaster and his 16th overall, including as a player. In 2018, Bradshaw took on the new responsibility of hosting THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL’s pregame and halftime shows live from New York with Howie Long and Michael Strahan. FOX NFL SUNDAY was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Broadcasting Hall of Fame in April 2019. Bradshaw joined CBS Sports as an NFL game analyst in 1984 and became a studio analyst on “The NFL Today” for four seasons beginning in 1990. During his last two years as an NFL game analyst for CBS, Bradshaw served in an acclaimed partnership with play-by-play announcer Verne Lundquist. Prior to his fulltime work for the network, he served as a guest commentator for CBS Sports’ NFC postseason broadcasts (1980-82). He appeared as a contributor on “Super Bowl Today” programs for Super Bowls XVI, XXIV and XXVI. The first player chosen in the 1970 draft, Bradshaw became one of the most prolific quarterbacks in history, leading the Steelers to four Super Bowl championships, six AFC championship games and eight straight playoff appearances (1972-79). Bradshaw, a two-time Super Bowl MVP (Super Bowls XIII and XIV), was a four-time All-Pro. He retired just prior to the 1984 season. Bradshaw was at his best in postseason games. Under his direction, Pittsburgh enjoyed Super Bowl championships in 1975 (16-6 over Minnesota), 1976 (21-17 over Dallas), 1979 (35-31 over Dallas) and 1980 (31-19 over the Los Angeles Rams), making him a perfect 4-0 in Super Bowl play. In those four outstanding performances, he completed 49 of 84 attempted passes—nine for touchdowns—for 932 yards (third all-time), with just three interceptions. He still holds the Super Bowl passing record for average gain in a game (14.71 yards in Super Bowl XIV vs. Los Angeles, in which he completed 21 passes for 309 yards). Bradshaw was named NFL Player of the Year by the Associated Press, “Sport Magazine” and the Maxwell Club of Philadelphia following the 1978 season. In 1979, he shared Sports Illustrated’s Man of the Year Award with Willie Stargell of the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1989, Bradshaw was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. In July 1997, he returned to Canton, Ohio, to serve as presenter when the late Mike Webster, his center on the Steelers’ four Super Bowl title teams, was inducted into the Hall of Fame. In April 2001, Bradshaw added yet another prestigious distinction when he was presented with the NFL Alumni’s Career Achievement Award. In addition to his broadcasting career, Bradshaw has appeared in several feature films, including the romantic comedy “Failure to Launch,” “Hooper” and “Cannonball Run,” and guest-starred on the television series “Las Vegas,” “Married with Children,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Eight Simple Rules,” “Evening Shade,” “Hardcastle and McCormick,” THE SIMPSONS and THE ADVENTURES OF BRISCO COUNTY, JR. on FOX. Bradshaw has written five books: his acclaimed autobiographies, “Keep it Simple” (2002), “It’s Only A Game” (2001) and “Looking Deep” (1989); “Terry Bradshaw: Man of Steel” (1979); and “No Easy Game” (1973). He is also the star of his own reality show, “The Bradshaw Bunch” which is premiering in fall of 2020 on E! Entertainment. He was named 1999’s Man of the Year by the Big Sisters of America and 2000’s Father of the Year by the National Father’s Day Council, and in 2002 he became the NFL’s first player to receive a Star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Bradshaw currently lives in Oklahoma, with his wife, Tammy. He has three daughters, Rachel, Lacey and Erin. INSIDERS NOTE: Terry Bradshaw was scheduled to be Grand Marshal at the 2020 Apple Blossom Festival and recommitted for 2021. The Grand Feature Parades were cancelled both years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Best chances for the public to see Terry Bradshaw: He will make an appearance at Partlow Insurance Sports Breakfast on Saturday, April 30 at 8:00 am at the Tolley Dental Zone at the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics & Events Center on the campus of Shenandoah University. He will be leading the glofiber Grand Feature Parade at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 30. Ticketing and Festival information are available at www.thebloom.com.  The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® has a knack for recognizing and showcasing up and coming country music talent and the Malloy Toyota Country Music Party, presented by Q102 lineup is sure to please fans yet again. In years past, the Festival has welcomed artists like Blake Shelton and Billy Currington in 2004, Parmalee in 2018, Jimmie Allen in 2019 and many others onto our stage as they were establishing their names in the country music industry. For 2022, we are pleased to announce that Sam Grow will be headlining the show with special guest, Ryan Jewel from 8:00 pm to midnight on Saturday evening, April 30 at the Tolley Dental Zone at the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics & Events Center on the campus of Shenandoah University. Tickets are $35.00 and are available at www.thebloom.com.
Sam Grow All of us can remember moments that changed our lives and hopefully the lives of those we love. Ask Sam Grow and he’ll tell you he’s had maybe three. The first came in high school, when his father agreed to buy Sam the guitar he desperately wanted — but only on one fateful condition. The next came the day he first held his newborn daughter, a moment that prompted him to make a special vow he has kept ever since. And the third involved his decision to pass by several tempting opportunities until the perfect one came along – signing with Average Joes Entertainment. Since signing with the Nashville-based label in 2019, Grow has amassed 40+ million streams across all Digital Service Platforms, was named to Billboard’s coveted “7 Country Acts To Watch” list, and was recently pegged by Music Row magazine as “On Board For Strong Bids For Future Stardom.” His 2020 hit single, “Song About You,” from his EP, Me And Mine, was listed as one of Spotify’s "Best Country Songs of 2020-Wrapped," and his 2019 album, “Love and Whiskey,” debuted at #1 on iTunes Country albums chart. “Love and Whiskey” was a self-portrait that spoke to listeners as if they had written those songs themselves. Add his insight as a singer, his ability to convey loneliness, love and laughter with equal eloquence, and you’ve got an album that represents the best of modern country. Grow began his journey in Mechanicsville, Maryland, where his father J.R. worked on power lines by day and enjoyed singing and listening to music at home at night. Sam started showing signs of talent early — so early that at age 5, after his family had moved to Winfield, Kansas, he made his debut singing “Amazing Grace” at the local Baptist church. Winfield also hosts the annual Walnut Valley Festival, which featured many of the best bluegrass singers and players. This, too, opened Grow’s eyes and ears. At age 10 he began writing songs. By the time his parents divorced, Grow understood that music can be something more than a hobby or distraction. “I saw a lot of things that kids of 12 or 13 shouldn’t have to see,” he recalls. “I felt that I had something to say about those moments. That’s why I started writing about them. Eventually music became my escape, a way to get away from whatever was bad.” Grow and his father moved back to Maryland, where their close bond grew even tighter. This takes us to that first milestone in Sam’s life. When he begged Dad to buy him a guitar, J.R. agreed to with one stipulation: Sam had to promise to use it to develop his own music — specifically, he would not use it to just imitate Green Day and other bands who were on the radio at that time. Sam accepted those terms. It wasn’t until many years later that he found out his father spent $500 on the instrument by maxing out his credit card. Sam learned about more than music from this. “That’s why I say Dad was my biggest influence,” he explains. “And not just in music. He tried to excel at everything he did. Watching him striving always to be the best he could be definitely inspired me to try turning nothing into something.” And he still owns that guitar. When he was 15 Sam went with his father to Nashville. J.R. was there on business but he found time to sneak his son into Robert’s Western Wear, the classic Music City honky-tonk. Just one year later Sam was playing shows and leading his own band. Eventually he enrolled at the College of Southern Maryland as a music major, but left after a while and got back to making music. He knew then and knows today that he really had no other choice, and this was entirely because of that second milestone. When he held his infant daughter for the first time, he says, “I realized that I was her first example of what a man is. I didn’t want to be the kind of man who said, ‘I had a dream to play music but then I had you and set it aside.’ That’s the worst thing you can tell a child. Looking at her, I wanted her to grow up knowing that I did chase my dreams. I wanted her to believe, like me, that the world is limitless.” So Grow devoted full time to playing, performing and writing. He cut an indie album, Ignition, in 2009 and began touring beyond the Maryland territory, with shows booked in Los Angeles, San Diego, Vancouver and other far-flung destinations. When he landed a gig at Nashville Underground, he impulsively blind-texted producer Matt McClure, though they’d never met, inviting him to come down and catch a set or two. Impressed, McClure started introducing Grow to major publishers. Deals were offered immediately. Grow moved to Nashville in 2013 and started releasing his own music, beginning with a self-titled EP in 2014 and followed by The Blame in 2017 and A Little Like Me in 2018. One last milestone remained. When Grow was booked to open for Colt Ford, the iconic country rapper invited him onto his bus to write a song with him and mutual friend Taylor Phillips. “We wrote one song,” Grow notes. “Then we wrote another song. Then Colt says, ‘I want more people to hear your music. Will you please come and sign with Average Joes?’” That leads directly to Love And Whiskey, with Grow’s band providing the music as promised and Jacob Rice producing. Ironically, the first two singles were the only cuts he didn’t co-write. Yet “Boots” and “History” both seem to have been tailored to his story. “Boots,” in particular, came to him at exactly the right moment, just a few weeks after his father had passed. Josh Thompson’s lyrics touched something in Grow, whose memories of J.R. include the favorite pair of boots he wore throughout his life. “Every time I play ‘Boots’ and I get to the hook, the people who have been following react and personally because they know how it connects to my feelings about my dad,” Grow insists. “But it also hits home when I sing it for a new audience, like I did recently on the Tyler Farr tour, because it speaks to his audience and mine: hard-working, blue-collar people who wake up every morning, strap their boots on and get to work.” Ryan Jewel Like many artists, Ryan Jewel was drawn to music at a young age. When he got his first guitar, there was no turning back. By high school, Ryan started playing with the idea of becoming a professional musician. By his sophomore year at Clemson University, Ryan and his fellow bandmate, Andrew Beam, were burning up every bar, club, sorority, and fraternity party they were able to. They went by the name Beam & Jewel and played 3 nights a week for the remainder of Ryan's college career. A native of Front Royal, Virginia, the country music singer/songwriter released his first EP "Up on the Drive" in 2016. This EP helped him gain traction with his music career around his hometown, the Shenandoah Valley, and further. Along with his EP, Ryan was a runner-up in the 2015 Texaco Country Showdown, a nationwide talent search, which solidified Ryan's calling for a music career. Ryan has had the privilege of being the opening act for some major country artist's such as Marty Stuart and Lauren Alaina. He has also shared the stage with fellow Nashville artists, and Clemson buddies, Cody Webb and Doug McCormick. Ryan's rich, baritone vocals, paired with his authentic songwriting, which reflect his own life experiences, have help build him a strong fan base who enjoy Ryan's "what you see is what you get" style of shows and attitude. When Ryan moved to Nashville in 2017, he hit the ground running; signing a management deal with Harmony Music Group Mgt just two weeks after moving to town. "If we didn't sign him, someone would've jumped all over him as soon as he opened his mouth around town and started singing" - (Fred Conley) He started singing demo's for many established writers around town and soon after, began writing with many of those same writer's. Ryan recently released his second studio EP "Heads, i'm yours..." to all digital platforms and is currently selling hard copies along with new merchandise at all of his shows.  Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® President, Tommy Price, is very pleased to announce that Mia Jenelle Dorsett has accepted the role of Queen Shenandoah XCV-Designate for the 2022 Festival. Mia is the youngest daughter of Janet and Tony Dorsett. She is an eighteen-year-old first-year student at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. Although she is part of an athletic family, Mia has found her passion in the arts. Musical theatre is her first love, and she is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre at TCU. She is the recipient of a four-year TCU Chancellor’s Scholarship, the most prestigious scholarship awarded at TCU.
Mia's stage debut began at the age of 10, and she has been part of over 20 productions to this date. Mia has a very strong work ethic and strives to always do her best in all things. In high school, she was recognized as a Duke University TIP scholar and was inducted into both junior and senior National Honor Societies and served as secretary for the junior group. Mia was a member of her high school’s honor choir and was chosen as an TPSMEA All State musician. During her freshman year of high school, she served in student government as a class representative. Mia is also a former member of the International Thespian Society Troupe 6605 and has twice performed at ITS nationals in Lincoln, Nebraska. She continues to strengthen her work ethic in college by being involved in many different organizations at TCU. Just in her first year, Mia has been a part of Leaders for Life, Theatre TCU Black Excellence, Frog Aides, and is a proud member of her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta. Since the age of 6, Mia has spent a week during the summer at Sky Ranch Christian camp in Van, Texas. Her last year of camp, she spent two weeks in Colorado at their Sigma camp, which provides a deeper focus on faith and beliefs. She has been honored to sing the national anthem at their annual fundraising gala several times. Mia has a true servant's heart and desires to be the hands and feet of Jesus. She has been blessed to serve as the 2022 service director for her sorority and hopes to continue finding ways to serve while in school. Before college, in the midst of all of her preparations for the next level of theatre, Mia found the time to travel to share the love of Christ through mission trips to orphanages in Chiapas, Mexico and the Dominican Republic and villages in Sri Lanka. She also spent eight days traveling with her choir's student ministry group in and around London, England performing and spreading the Gospel. Mia is so grateful to be chosen as the next Queen and to follow in the steps of her sister, Jazmyn Dorsett, Queen Shenandoah LXXXV. She is delighted to be a part of such an incredible tradition and looks forward to a great weekend in the Shenandoah Valley. The Dorsett family, including Tony and Janet, will accompany Mia during the 2022 Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival ®. Mia was designated to be Queen in 2020 but did not reign due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Queen Shenandoah XCV will be attending the The Village at Orchard Ridge Queen’s Dinner at 5 p.m. on April 28, at Millwood Station. Her Coronation will be held at John Handley High School at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 29. Mia will make appearances at various Festival events throughout the weekend, including the Firefighters’ Parade on Friday, April 29 at 5:30 p.m. and the glofiber Grand Feature Parade on Saturday, April 30 at 1:30 p.m. Ticketing and Festival information are available at www.thebloom.com.  “Bloomin’ Good Times” are just around the corner! Join the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival as we bring back many of the traditional events that our community has come to enjoy over the past 95 years. Our celebration will take place between Friday, April 22 to Sunday, May 1, 2022 and will include the return of parades, races and many of the events that festival fans have come to enjoy. The What’s New at the 2022 Bloom-Part Two release below highlights tickets for events that are now on sale. Festival planners expect tickets to sell quickly for many events, especially those at venues with limited seating capacity. Festival goers are encouraged to order tickets early before popular events sell out. Miss Honorary Fire & Rescue Chief Contest Since 1947, the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® and local fire companies have chosen an Honorary Fire Chief to represent them in our annual Firefighters’ Parade. The Miss Honorary Fire & Rescue Chief contest takes place on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at Daniel Morgan Middle School at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $10.00/ea. Apple Blossom Carnival Powers Great American Midway The Apple Blossom Carnival Powers Great American Midway is your ticket to fun and excitement for all ages. From thrill seeking rides to midway games, the Apple Blossom Carnival offers a variety of activities for the entire family. The “Ride for One Price” is offered and can be purchased at the carnival site. Cash Only. The Carnival will be located behind Ward Plaza on Valley Avenue and open on Friday, April 22, 2022, at 5:00 pm. Visit www.thebloom.com for open dates and times throughout the week. **New Event** Apple Blossom Community Esports Event The Apple Blossom Community Esports event is a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate event open to the public hosted at the Bright Box Theater in Old Town Winchester. Bring your friends and enjoy an afternoon of “gaming” with the Shenandoah University Esports Team. This event is FREE to enter and will run from 11am to 3pm EST on Saturday, April 23, 2022. All ages are welcome, and no controller is necessary to play! Simply walk into the Bright Box Theater and sit down and play for a chance to win a variety of prizes including Respawn Gaming Chairs. Food and drink will be available for purchase inside Bright Box. Be on the lookout for another exciting Esports event in our next release! Valley Health Business at the Bloom Valley Health Business at the Bloom is one of the largest gatherings of regional business leaders during the entire year. Offering a terrific speaker and the opportunity to network with others in the business community, the luncheon is the perfect opportunity to entertain clients or reward valued employees. Business at the Bloom is a great way to kick off your Apple Blossom celebration! The Valley Health Business at the Bloom will take place at the James R. Wilkins Athletics & Events Center on the campus of Shenandoah University on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at 11:00 am. Tickets are $50.00/ea. Apple Pie Baking Contest Do you enjoy baking? Is apple pie one of your favorite desserts? Then why not join others just like you who love a warm, delicious apple pie made from scratch, by participating in an apple pie baking contest! Marker-Miller Orchards Farm Market and MidAtlantic Farm Credit will be hosting the event in conjunction with the 95th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®. Spectators and family members are welcome to observe and show support to the contestants. The winners of this contest will ride in the Firefighters’ Parade and the Grand Feature Parade. The event is FREE and is hosted by Marker-Miller Farm Market on Thursday, April 28, 2022, at 9:00 am. The first twenty applications will be accepted due to oven space and judging time. If full, a waitlist will be created in case contestants cannot compete. Coventry Group Community Management Breakfast Walk Back by popular demand, the Coventry Group Community Management Breakfast Walk will take place on Thursday morning, April 28, 2022, from 8:00 to 10:00 am at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. Tickets are $25.00/ea. This April 28th event includes a walk along the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley trails with views of pastures, wildlife, plants, and other natural elements, followed by a full breakfast outside, weather permitting, or under a tent. The walk will start and end at the Museum with breakfast served in the reception area and patio. This is one of the first of many Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival weekend events with an opportunity to enjoy the Winchester great outdoors, visit with friends (or make new ones) and explore the museum and gardens free of charge. Also, this is the first time it is being held at the MSV location and affords participants new and lasting adventures. Trails are easily accessible with paved and turf/mulched surfaces. Walkers may choose the length they prefer of the three miles of trails within the 90 acres. Maps will be given out and signage is located along the routes. Prayer Lunch presented by Knouse Foods Join the enthusiastic crowd that gathers to “Bless the Bloom”! The interdenominational event has been a dynamic success with each Festival year since 2000 welcoming notable guest speakers Linda Davis, Ruth Graham McIntyre, Lisa Welchel, Kirk Cameron, Truitt Cathy, LaDonna Gatlin, Gigi Graham, Trudy Cathy White and Cissie Graham Lynch. Celebrate the 23rd Prayer Lunch with attendees will be state and local dignitaries. Opening ceremonies will include a salute to the American flag by the U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard. Featured performing guests will be announced at a later date. Include a refreshing, inspirational dimension to your “Bloom Weekend”! The Prayer Lunch will take place on Friday, April 29, 2022, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Fellowship Bible Church. Tickets are $40.00/ea. Firetruck Rodeo & Antique Truck Fest Fire Engines - New and Old - at the Fire Truck Rodeo & Antique Truck Fest. A day dedicated to fire trucks. In addition to seeing all types of fire engines, take in the Fire Truck Rodeo as firefighters drive the huge machines backward and forward through tightly spaced cones to the tick of a stopwatch. This competition begins at 9:30 a.m., rain or shine, and provides firefighters the chance to demonstrate their driving skills and improve the performance of their everyday driving. Come on out for the chance to see antique and new fire engines, aerial ladders, and specialty vehicles up close. Many of the antique vehicles are more than 100 years old. The Firetruck Rodeo & Antique Truck Fest is a FREE event that takes place on Friday, April 29, 2022, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at Millbrook High School Massage Envy Bloomers’ Luncheon Ladies, are you ready for some “Bloomin’ Good Times?” Enjoy the festivities surrounded by your girlfriends with dancing and plenty of fun at the Massage Envy Bloomers’ Luncheon! This ladies-only event will feature the music of Souled Out, a sit-down luncheon, and an open bar with a variety of draft beers and some selected wines. There will also be a cash bar available with a tantalizing selection of drinks. Enjoy yourselves surrounded by your friends at the Tolley Dental Zone, located at the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics & Events Center on the campus of Shenandoah University. General Admission tickets are $40.00/ea, which includes your reserved seat, meal, select open bar drinks, and entertainment! VIP Tickets are $80.00/ea and include everything listed with the General Admission ticket plus Apple Blossom swag, fast pass to skip the long entrance line, exclusive bar area and priority seating. ID's will be checked at the door. 21 and older only. Join your friends at the Massage Envy Bloomers’ Luncheon on Friday, April 30, 2022, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Realty ONE Group The Realty ONE Group Queen’s Ball returns to the historic George Washington Hotel Grand Ballroom in downtown Winchester on Friday evening, April 29, 2022, from 8:00 pm to 12:00 am. Guests at this elegant event will enjoy hors d'oeuvres and an open bar, while dancing the night away to the sounds of Souled Out. Queen Shenandoah and her court will make a grand entrance during the evening and then stay to enjoy the ball held in the Queen's honor. Festival celebrities will also visit the event. This year's ball will provide the elegance and romance associated with one of the Festival's oldest and most popular events and will be centrally located in the midst of other events. Black tie optional. Tickets to the Realty ONE Group Queen’s Ball are $80/ea. Partlow Insurance Sports Breakfast Partlow Insurance Sports Breakfast has been a fan favorite since 1966 where Sammy Baugh, of the Washington Redskins and Hall of Fame Pro Football player and coach was the first Sports Marshal. Adults and children have the opportunity to “make a memory” as they eat and listen to their “heroes” in sports. The breakfast also honors outstanding local high school and college athletes chosen to represent their schools as well as 2022 Apple Blossom Sports Hall of Fame inductees. To help create an exciting experience, video screens are mounted to give everyone a better look at their favorite sports celebrities. The drawing of door prizes will follow the breakfast. The 2022 Partlow Insurance Sports Breakfast will take place on Saturday morning, April 30, 2022, from 8:00 to 10:00 am (7:00 am for VIP ticketholders) at the James R. Wilkins, Jr Athletics & Events Center on the campus of Shenandoah University. Reserved Seating + Breakfast tickets are $45.00/ea and VIP tickets are $125.00/ea and include sports celebrity pre-breakfast meet and greet + breakfast + preferred seating. Only 50 VIP Experiences are available and will sell out fast! Country Music Party
The Country Music Party, presented by Shenandoah Country Q102, an iHeartMedia Station, will be held at the Tolley Dental Zone located at the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics & Event Center at Shenandoah University on Saturday evening, April 30, 2022, from 8:00 pm to 12:00 am. Continuing its tradition of offering great country acts at an amazingly affordable price. General admission tickets are $35.00/ea. The Country Music Party entertainment lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.  The 95th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® is planning for “Bloomin’ Good Times” that include a full event lineup this spring. Our 95th celebration will take place between Friday, April 22 to Sunday, May 1, 2022. As in years past, the Festival will share its What’s New for 2022 series of press releases to disseminate important event dates and information to Festival fans. Our 95th springtime extravaganza will bring back many of our traditional events and indoor venues that could not take place the last two years due to COVID restrictions and mandates. Events like parades, races and other large events are in the planning stages. Festival planners expect tickets to sell quickly for many events, especially those at venues with limited seating capacity. Festival goers are encouraged to order tickets early before popular events sell out. The What’s New at the 2022 Bloom-Part One release below highlights tickets for events that are now on sale. The next release is expected to be distributed in the next 7-10 days and will highlight additional event tickets available for sale. United Bank Bloomin’ Wine Fest Join us to "Uncork the Bloom" at the official kick-off of the 95th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®. The United Bank Bloomin’ Wine Fest will return to Old Town Winchester on Friday, April 22 from 3:00 to 10:00 pm and Saturday, April 23, 2022 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. Enjoy live entertainment, great food, spectacular Virginia wines, and wonderful company. The United Bank Bloomin’ Wine Fest is presented by Colony Realty. In 2022, the event returns to historic downtown Winchester featuring several of Virginia's finest wineries offering wines sold by the glass or bottle. Beer lovers will be able to enjoy beer sold by the glass. There will also be artisans bringing their own special flair, tasty Festival foods to try, and regional musical talents performing on stage. The admission fee includes a souvenir wine glass and access to wine and hard cider tastings. No outside food or drinks will be allowed inside the event area. All items (including, and without limitations, backpacks and purses) are subject to search upon entry or re-entry. No pets are allowed in the event area. Sale of unopened bottles and cases will be available. Advance tickets are $25/day. At the gate tickets are $30/day. Non-drinking tickets are $10/day. Virginia Business Systems Apple Blossom Golf Classic The Virginia Business Systems Apple Blossom Golf Classic will take place on Friday, April 22, 2022 at Rock Harbor Golf Course located at 365 Rock Harbor Drive, Winchester, VA 22602. The Virginia Business Systems Apple Blossom Golf Classic is a Captain's Choice event with a limit of 24 teams. The tournament sells out every year so reserve your team in advance! Team check-in and registration begins at Noon with a shotgun start at 1:00 pm. Registration fee is $500 for a four-person team. This covers golfing, fees, hospitality, and gifts. Register online at www.thebloom.com or at the Festival office. Playing the scramble format, there will be longest drive and closest to the pin contests, team prizes, golfer gift bag, and range balls for practice, which are all included in the registration fees. **New Event** Breakfast with Miss Apple Blossom 2022 Miss Apple Blossom, Savannah Marcum, will welcome and entertain children of all ages as they enjoy an unforgettable breakfast experience. Parents and grandparents are encouraged to make this a generational family experience by also participating in the breakfast event. Delicious, apple-inspired breakfast treats will be prepared and served to all attendees as they meet and take photos with Miss Apple Blossom. Be sure to dress in your best pink and green outfits or as your favorite princess. This is sure to be an event that will create memories that will last a lifetime. Breakfast with Miss Apple Blossom is hosted and sponsored by West Oaks Farm Market located at 1107 Cedar Creek Grade, Winchester, VA 22602 from 9:00 am to 10:30 pm on Saturday morning, April 23, 2022. Tickets are available for $25/adults and $15/children under 12. Cider Tastings & Orchard Tours Cider Tastings and Orchard Tours will be offered at Marker-Miller Orchards Farm Market, 3035 Cedar Creek Grade, Winchester, VA 22602 on Sunday, April 24, 2022. Half-hour walking tours of the orchards will begin at 11 am, 12 noon, 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm. Marker-Miller is a local farm with a market. Inside the market there are a variety of products to choose from and don't forget to check out their bakery and famous apple cider donuts. Wrap up your visit with a stop by Marker-Miller’s "Sweets Shop" where you can get fudge, hand dipped ice cream, or fruit slushies. During the orchard tour, guides will dispense a wealth of information on the planting and growing of fruit trees, temperature sensitivity for blossoms, spraying and pruning and using the latest “green” methodology to protect the trees and promote tree and fruit growth, when and how to harvest, and much more. Delicious food options will be available for purchase from various vendors on site as well as live music. Participants are welcome to bring blankets or lawn chairs should they wish to sit outside following the tour and tasting. The Cider Tastings & Orchard Tours is an outdoor event at Marker-Miller, please wear appropriate footwear. Tickets are sold in one-hour blocks and are available for $20/each. Winchester Radiologists Pumps and Pearls Ladies Party The Winchester Radiologists Pumps and Pearls Ladies Party will take place on Monday evening, April 25, 2022 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at The Monument (new location) located in Old Town Winchester at 186 N Loudoun St, Winchester, VA 22601. Tickets are $100 and include open bar, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, music, dancing, glamorous door prizes and the always popular - shoe contest. Oldies Rock ‘n’ Roll Dance Take a road trip...A Rock 'n' Roll Road Trip that is! Meet your guide, Rick K, as he leads you through the Fabulous 50's, gets groovy with the 60's Explosion then hustles you into the 70's. Rick K will be bringing his "Vegas Flash" show directly to you. High-energy fun and crowd participation is "on this map"! Buckle up tight and enjoy an evening of rock 'n' roll oldies with his amazing group. The Oldies Rock ‘n’ Roll Dance has moved to a new day and location. Join us on Wednesday evening, April 27, 2022, from 7:00 to 10:00 pm at the Tolley Dental Zone at the James R. Wilkins Athletics & Events Center on the campus of Shenandoah University located at 1188 Ralph Shockey Dr., Winchester, VA 22602. 50 VIP tickets are available and include early (6:00 pm) admission, reserved seating with special table decorations and a 30-minute dance lesson before Rick K. Road Trip takes the stage. Doors open for General Admission ticket holders at 6:45 pm. VIP tickets are $50/ea. General Admission is $35/ea. Get your tickets early as this popular dance event is sure to sell out again! Guests may purchase beer, select mixed drinks and non-alcoholic beverages. 90’s Dance Party The 90’s Dance Party is back in 2022 with a fresh, new act all the way from New York! The 90’s Band is recognized as New York’s Hottest 90’s Tribute band-An authentic 90’s experience that takes you back in time.” Whether you're still stuck in the 90's, or just missing it like crazy, The 90's Band is your fix! Playing your favorite hits from artists like Third Eye Blind, Alanis Morissette, Weezer, The Cranberries, Bush, and more! Come party with The 90's Band - New York's hottest tribute to the music of the '90s. An authentic experience that takes you back in time. The 90’s Dance Party will be held from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 AM at the Tolley Dental Zone at the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics and Event Center located on the campus of Shenandoah University at 1188 Ralph Shockey Dr., Winchester, VA 22602 ...Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Guests may purchase beer and select mixed drinks. Tickets are $35/ea. Highway Motors International Stag Luncheon Men from across the area always look forward to the annual Highway Motors International Stag Luncheon. Attendees enjoy food, open beer & bourbon bar, music, games, and fellowship. The Stag Lunch provides an opportunity for guys to reunite with old friends, many of whom might not have seen each other since last year’s event. The Stag Luncheon will be at the Winchester Cold Storage located at 605 N North Loudoun St., Winchester, VA. Gates open at 10:45 am for VIP Access and 11:45 am for General Admission. VIP ticket holders enjoy early entrance and exclusive access to the VIP area. They also receive a free T-shirt, and cigar, as well as special food and drink. 21 and older only. VIP tickets are $80/ea. General Admission tickets are $40/ea. This is a sellout event so reserve your tickets early. Ladies Commonwealth Luncheon The Ladies Commonwealth Luncheon will take place on Friday, April 29, 2022 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the George Washington Hotel located at 103 East Piccadilly St., Winchester, VA 22601. Ticket price for this event is $50. As the Festival’s premier professional woman-to-woman business event, invite your colleagues and make plans to attend this great lunchtime networking event. Truist Men’s Commonwealth Luncheon The annual Truist Men’s Commonwealth Luncheon is set for 11 a.m. to 1:00 pm on Friday, April 29, 2022 at Piccadilly’s Public House & Restaurant located at 125 East Piccadilly Street (next to the George Washington Hotel). Tickets for this event are $50/ea. This popular gathering of gentlemen will be reminiscent of the original and complementary to the current Stag Luncheon. The area’s business and community leaders know this is one party not to miss! It is held in the heart of downtown Winchester in a restored grocery warehouse built in 1900, now known as Piccadilly’s Public House & Restaurant. Attendees enjoy a delectable lunch with their favorite libations and special samples of world-famous distilled spirits while engaging in lively discussions. Proper attire includes a jacket or tie. Gentlemen, raise your glasses in a toast to Apple Blossom’s nostalgic event. This event sells out each year. 80’s Dance Party Dance the night away to all of your favorite 80’s tunes. All the way from Cali, Dj UnieQ will open things up spinning and mixing popular 80’s tunes and The Reagan Years will cover all of the mega-artists from the 80’s. You won’t want to miss this 80’s experience which takes place on Friday night, April 29, 2022 from 8:00 pm to midnight. The event will return to the Tolley Dental Zone at the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics & Events Center located at 1188 Ralph Shockey Dr, Winchester, VA 22602 on the campus of Shenandoah University. General admission tickets are $35/ea. Limited VIP Backstage Passes are $50 and include a collectible 80’s Dance Party drinking cup, backstage pass to meet the performers and a fast pass to skip the long entrance line! Purchase a Premium Parking Pass for only $15 that permits the pass holder a reserved parking spot just outside the venue. Square Dance The Festival’s Square Dance will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2022 from 8:00 to 11:00 pm at the Whitacre Building located at the Frederick County Fairgrounds, 250 Fairgrounds Road, Clear Brook, VA 22624. This historic event attracts dancers from across the region. Tickets are $15/ea. Tickets can be purchased online at www.thebloom.com, at Festival Headquarters located at 135 North Cameron St., Winchester, VA, or by calling (540) 662-3863.
Four young women from the Winchester area have been selected to serve as Maids in the Court of Queen Shenandoah XCV during the 95th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, April 28 through May I, 2022. The Maids are Elia Maria Norton, Yeakley Eden Pullen, Margaret Wyndham Smith, and Sarah Katherine Smith.  Elia Norton is the granddaughter of B.J. Dove of Winchester, VA. She is the great granddaughter of Polly Manuel of Winchester and the late Eddie Manuel. Elia is a sophomore at Lord Fairfax Community College majoring in early childhood education. She is a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she volunteers on many committees. Elia has been an active member in the Girl Scout Organization for I3 years and has now received a lifetime membership. Elia is a 2019 graduate of John Handley High School. She was a member of the Handley Color Guard, participated with Girls on the Run as a Jr. Coach, running buddy, and runner. She also participated in Winchester Public School's system wide musicals for 7 years. Elia has volunteered with the Kids Club of the Northern Shenandoah Valley, Watts, and the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® on the Tent/Event, Bluegrass, and Bloomers committees.  Yeakley Pullen is the daughter of Crystal and Adrian Pullen of Winchester. She is the granddaughter of Mary Ann Pullen and Pressley Pullen, Jr., of Winchester, and the late Barbara Zydelis and Robert Zydelis. Yeakley is a junior at The University of Alabama majoring in communicative disorders with a minor in human development. She is a member of Delta Zeta sorority where she served as a Diamond Leader and was appointed as a Sigma Rho Chi through the University of Alabama Panhellenic Association where she guided and counseled potential new members during the largest sorority recruitment in the nation. She is a weekly mentor with Al's Pals, a mentoring program for at-risk youth in Tuscaloosa, AL, a volunteer with the West Alabama Food Bank, and involved in Campus Outreach. Yeakley is a 2019 graduate of James Wood High School. She was a four year varsity Soccer letter recipient, three year varsity Volleyball letter recipient, where she also served as a captain her senior year, and named First Team All-Area Libero during her junior and senior years. Additionally, she was a member of the National Honor Society, Varsity Club, and Key Club. Yeakley also served as an Apple Pie Ridge Elementary mentor.  Margaret Smith is the daughter of Katherine and Randall Smith of Henrico, VA. She is the granddaughter of Sandra and Frank Armstrong of Winchester, Patricia Smith of Richmond, VA, and the late Steve Smith. Margaret attends John Tyler Community College majoring in early childhood education. Margaret is a 2017 graduate of Douglas Southall Freeman High School. She was a three year varsity Swim letter recipient, member of the National Beta Club, and a seven year member of The Village Dance Studio Performing Company. Margaret has worked in childcare full-time for the past 4 years and enjoys photography as a hobby. Margaret's mother, Katherine Armstrong Smith, was a Little Maid in the court of Queen Shenandoah XLIV, Miss Juliana Shepard and a Maid of Honor to Queen Shenandoah LVI, Miss Dana Lee Connors. Her maternal grandparents, Sandra and Frank Armstrong, were Festival Presidents from 1981 to 1982 and 1968 to 1969, respectively.  Sarah Smith is the daughter of Katherine and Randall Smith of Henrico. She is the granddaughter of Sandra and Frank Armstrong of Winchester, Patricia Smith of Richmond, and the late Steve Smith. Sarah is a junior at the University of Virginia majoring in kinesiology with a Spanish minor. She is a member of the Virginia Alpine Ski and Snowboard Team. Sarah graduated from Glen Allen High School in 2019. She was a four year varsity Gymnastics letter recipient and a two year varsity Tennis letter recipient. Additionally, she was a member of the National Honor Society, Art Honor Society, Math Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society. Sarah's mother, Katherine Armstrong Smith, was a Little Maid in the court of Queen Shenandoah XLIV, Miss Juliana Shepard and a Maid of Honor to Queen Shenandoah LVI, Miss Dana Lee Connors. Her maternal grandparents, Sandra and Frank Armstrong, were Festival Presidents from 1981 to 1982 and 1968 to 1969, respectively. The Maids will participate in the Coronation Ceremony of Queen Shenandoah XCV at John Handley High School and will ride on the Queen's float in the Grand Feature Parade.
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About UsThe Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the beauty of springtime and the apple blossoms in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley through events and initiatives that enhance community spirit and showcases our local agricultural heritage. Archives
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