​Four young women from the Winchester area have been selected to serve as Maids in the Court of Queen Shenandoah XCVIII during the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®, April 25th through May 4th, 2025. The Maids are Kimberly Maria Aikens, Ashlyn Carter Gerometta, Lindsay Wainwright Pifer, and MaryGrace Hawthorne Utz.

Kimberly Aikens is the daughter of Bridget and William Aikens of Winchester, VA. She is the granddaughter of Giselia and Mario Viegas of Vienna, VA and Elaine and Walter Aikens of Winchester. Kimberly is a sophomore at James Madison University (JMU) pursuing dual degrees in business and media arts and design. Her concentrations are marketing and creative advertising respectively. She sings soprano with The JMU Chorale and in JMU’s Vice President of Student Affairs Musical Seeds Open Mic. Kimberly auditioned and was selected by JMU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts to perform with The Madison Singers at Carnegie Hall in New York City for 2025. She is a member of the JMU Club Climbing team and the Latin Dance Club. Kimberly has been a member of the dean’s list since Fall of 2023. She is owner and operator of KMA Media LLC and a photojournalist for the award-winning JMU student newspaper, The Breeze. Kimberly is a 2023 graduate of James Wood High School (JWHS), where she was a member of the National Honor Society and Choir, serving as student president. She was named to the 2022 National Association for Music Education (NAfME) All National Honors Choir. She was the lead photographer and design editor of the JWHS yearbook, Woodbine. Kimberly danced 12 years with Vostrikov’s Academy of Ballet, taking classes in ballet, pointe, tap, and modern. Outside of her great accomplishments and hobbies, she also enjoys spending time reading, writing, drawing, playing guitar, running, and lifting weights. Kimberly’s mother, Bridget Aikens, is the current first vice president of The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®. Her father, William Aikens, was a page in the court of Queen Shenandoah LX, Candace Leona Savalas; and escorted Queen Shenandoah LXXII, Amanda Davies. Kimberly’s paternal grandmother, Elaine Aikens, was The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® President for the 2009 and 2010 festival years.

Ashlyn “Carter” Gerometta is the daughter of Natalie and Justin Gerometta of Winchester. She is the granddaughter of Anita and Nathan Jenkins and Susie and Paul Gerometta, all of Winchester. Carter is a sophomore at Laurel Ridge Community College pursuing an Applied Science of Nursing degree. After completion of her Applied Science degree, she will continue to pursue a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. She is a member of the Student Nursing Association and Dean’s List. Carter is an Emergency Department Technician at Winchester Medical Center. She is an avid outdoors person who enjoys fishing, hunting, and hiking. She is a 2023 graduate of John Handley High School. Carter’s mother, Natalie Jenkins Gerometta, was a princess in the court of Queen Shenandoah LXX, Amber Elizabeth Medlin. 

​Lindsay Pifer is the daughter of Kim and Bill Pifer of Winchester. She is the granddaughter of Toni Sloan and Dorothy Pifer, both of Winchester, and the late William T. Armstrong and Dr. William H. Pifer. Lindsay is a sophomore at James Madison University majoring in marketing and hospitality management. She is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity, where she serves as Bid Day Chair. She has been a member of the dean’s list since Fall of 2023. Lindsay is a 2023 graduate of John Handley High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society and a Handley Scholar. She was a 4-year varsity volleyball player and was awarded Outstanding Athlete for best offensive player for two consecutive years from the Judges Athletic Association. She also played number three singles on the varsity tennis team during her senior year. Lindsay was the recipient of the Snag Sargent (best all-around athletics and scholarship) award. Lindsay’s mother, Kim Armstrong Pifer, was a Maid of Honor in the court of Queen Shenandoah LXII, Emily Sikking. Linday’s maternal grandmother, Toni Smith Sloan, was a Maid of Honor in the court of Queen Shenandoah XXXVII Luci Baines Johnson.. Her maternal grandfather, William Armstrong, was the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® President for the 2007 and 2008 festivals.   

MaryGrace Utz is the daughter of Anne Marie and Christopher Utz of Winchester. She is the granddaughter of Frances and James “Pete” Lowe and Barbara Utz all of Winchester, and the late Donald Utz. MaryGrace is a sophomore at Laurel Ridge Community College. She is a 2023 graduate of James Wood High School where she was a member of the junior varsity volleyball team. She extended her love of volleyball outside of school by playing on several travel teams, including Go Volley!. When not volunteering within the community for multiple organizations, including Froggy’s Closet, she works with the residents at The Village at Orchard Ridge. She is proud to have taken part in the 2021 Miss Apple Blossom Scholarship Pageant. 

​The Maids will participate in the Coronation Ceremony to be held on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. at John Handley High School. They will ride on the Royal Float in the Grand Feature Parade scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, May 3, 2025.

​Winchester, VA - The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival is proud to announce the release of a brand new Limited Edition of Bloom-Opoly!  Created by the Centennial Crew, a committee that has been developing ideas and planning events to celebrate the upcoming Centennial Festival in 2027, this exclusive and commemorative board game celebrates the timeless traditions and supporters that have helped shape this extraordinary Festival to what it is today.  Not only does this board game honor many long-running local organizations and businesses, but it also highlights the longevity of many classic Festival events that are still favorites to our Bloom Nation to this day. 
 
We are sure Bloom-Opoly will make for some exciting game nights within our households and beyond.  Don’t miss your chance to own this exclusive limited edition of Bloom-Opoly!  All game sale proceeds will be used directly to fund the 100th Festival.  Games are priced at $50.00 and can be purchased online by visiting www.thebloom.com or by contacting Festival Headquarters at 540-662-3863.

We are proud to announce the first ever official vanity license plate commemorating the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®. Show your pink and green pride year-round with the floral design that is sure to turn heads wherever you travel, from the Commonwealth and beyond! 2025 marks the 98th Festival, with over 50 events spanning 10 days. This license plate allows you to support our community's homecoming every time you get behind the wheel. 

In our partnership with the Department of Motor Vehicles we must gather 450 pre-orders for this unique license plate prior to the General Assembly session in January 2025. We would like to give a special thanks to Delegate Bill Wiley and Senator Timmy French for offering to sponsor the design and legislation. The plate will be offered for an annual fee of $10 in addition to your standard registration. Please visit the link below to access the pre-order website and forms along with payment instructions. Once sufficient orders are placed, and the plate is approved by the General Assembly and Governor, you will be among the first to receive this beautiful license plate.

Please act fast and place your order so that we can get our Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival license plate on the streets without delay!