Jeremy Luttrell, president of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® is pleased to announce Amelia Draper as the featured speaker for the Ladies Horticultural Luncheon.   

Amelia Draper is a meteorologist with Storm Team4. Her forecasts can be seen during the midday and evening editions of News4 and on NBC Washington digital properties. She joined News4 in March 2013.

A native of Frederick, Maryland, Draper had wanted to forecast the weather in Washington, D.C., since she started studying meteorology at Penn State University. In fact, she graduated from college early so she could start working.

Draper's first job was with CNET in State College, Pennsylvania. While forecasting weather there, she became very familiar with weather phenomena such as lake effect snow, which helped her land her next job as weekend meteorologist for WJET/WFXP in Erie, Pennsylvania. Erie recorded its second snowiest winter on record during Draper's first year there. From there, she joined the morning shift at WIVB-WNLO in Buffalo.

The opportunity to be closer to family and friends brought her back to the D.C. area as a member of Washington’s #1 weather team. She brought extensive experience covering snowy winters, spring storms and summer heat.

Fitness is a big part of Draper's life, from her high school job as a snowboard instructor at Whitetail Ski Resort to playing on field hockey and lacrosse teams to her current activities which include yoga, golf and running.

Draper lives in Montgomery County with her husband and son.

​​The Ladies Horticultural Luncheon will be held at Millwood Station Banquet Hall, 252 Costello Drive, on Friday, May 2, from 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Tickets are available by calling 540-662-3409. 

The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® is pleased to announce that Matthew West will headline the 2025 Contemporary Christian Concert, presented by Clean Water of Virginia with special guests Warren Peay and Seth Addison. The concert will take place at the Tolley Dental Zone in the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics & Events Center on the campus of Shenandoah University on Sunday afternoon, May 4, 2025. ​
​

​Matthew West
Dubbed “one of Christian music’s most prolific singer-songwriters” (Billboard), Matthew West has notched 37 No.1 songs combined as an artist and songwriter and has been awarded RIAA Gold and Platinum certifications. West is also a five-time GRAMMY nominee, NSAI’s 2022 Songwriter-Artist of the Year, ASCAP’s 2023 Golden Note Award recipient, ASCAP’s Songwriter of the Year recipient, and a multiple ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year winner. He has received an American Music Award, a Billboard Music Award, K-LOVE Fan Awards, GMA Dove Awards and has been named Billboard’s Hot Christian Songwriter of the Year. A recipient of the Rich Mullins Impact Award, West also received a Primetime Emmy® Award nomination for Original Music & Lyrics for the title track for the feature film “The Heart of Christmas.” 
 
In addition to his own recording career, he has co-hosted the K-LOVE Fan Awards seven times and has more than 275 songwriting credits to his name, including cuts by Anne Wilson, Rascal Flatts, Scotty McCreery, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Mandisa, Danny Gokey, Casting Crowns and others. The release of Don’t Stop Praying marks his 13th studio album. West's first single from the album and title track "Don't Stop Praying" (released January 2024) marked his biggest streaming single debut in his 20-year career and notched a No. 1 spot for two weeks at radio.  
 
Adding author to his list of accolades, West has written eight books to date: “Give This Christmas Away,” “The Story Of Your Life,” “Forgiveness,” “Today Is Day One”, “Hello, My Name Is, “The God Who Stays,” “My Story Your Glory 30-Day Devotional,” “Come Home For Christmas” with his ninth book “Don’t Stop Praying” slated to release in February 2026. In 2020 The Matthew West Podcast debuted and continues weekly with special guests. West is also passionate about providing hope and healing through the power of prayer and story. Along with his father, Pastor Joe West, they founded popwe, a non-profit ministry helping others to craft, share, and live a more meaningful life.

Warren Peay 
Warren Peay, a soulful Christian artist from Bamberg, South Carolina, gained national attention as a top contestant on American Idol Season 21, where his heartfelt lyrics and powerful voice captivated audiences and advanced him to the Top 8 in May 2023. Known for his humble, down-to-earth persona and deep-rooted faith, Warren consistently brought authenticity to each performance, often choosing Christian songs that reflected his mission to glorify God.
 
Since his American Idol journey, Warren’s music career has continued to blossom. He was featured on Zach Williams’ song “Sunday’s Comin’” and even had the honor of opening for Zach at the 2024 Shenandoah County Fair. Additionally, he was a featured artist at UnityFest, bringing his message of hope and faith to even larger audiences. His Instagram profile captures his journey, sharing performances, behind-the-scenes moments, and reflections that highlight his passion for music. As he prepares to release new music and hit the road, Warren looks forward to sharing his voice, faith, and message with a growing community of listeners.

​Seth Addison
Seth Addison is a singer, songwriter, and author from Baltimore, MD. He enjoys creating music and writing related to real people, facing real challenges, about a real God.

Tickets are on sale now.  Join us at the Tolley Dental Zone in the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics & Events Center on the campus of Shenandoah University on Sunday, May 4, 2025, for an afternoon of worship and inspiration. Doors open at Noon. The concert begins at 2:00 pm.

Natalie White, representing the Russell County Fair, was crowned Miss Virginia Association of Fairs 2025 during the 107th conference in Williamsburg, VA..  Jeremy Luttrell, president of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® is pleased to announce that Natalie will be a special guest at the upcoming springtime Festival event.
 
Natalie is a Roan Scholar at East Tennessee State University where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health Science. At ETSU, she is President of the Pre-dental chapter and Social Media Chair of Cure ETSU. A resident of Nickelsville, Natalie was Valedictorian of the class of 2022 at Twin Springs High School where she was dually enrolled at Mountain Empire Community College, earning a General Education degree while in high school. She excelled in cheerleading, forensics, and Scholastics Bowl, all for which she served as Captain. For her original oratory in forensics, she was named State Champion. She plans to attend dental school to pursue a career as a general dentist.
Natalie is a strong advocate for the importance of and need for proper oral hygiene through her platform, Smile with NAT. She has accumulated over 500 hours of community service, including 200 hours while treating 500 dental patients in the Appalachian region of Virginia and Tennessee. For her efforts, she was named Outstanding Volunteer with Miles for Smiles. A published author, Natalie wrote Tony the Tooth which she shares in elementary schools to encourage healthy smiles.
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 almost 80,000 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 attending many events during the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® on May 3 and 4.

Click here for tickets to Festival events

The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® In-Town and Out-of-Town Miss Honorary Fire and Rescue Chief Contest presented by Trex will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 8 at Daniel Morgan Middle School in Winchester. The contest, where local fire companies are represented by a young lady aged 16 – 21, is one of the longest running Apple Blossom events. Tickets are $10 at the door. Cash and credit cards will be accepted. Visit thebloom.com to purchase tickets in advance. 

The 2025 In-Town contestants are: 
​

​Get ready to laugh until your cheeks hurt at the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® Comedy Show! Join us at the vibrant Bright Box Theater in Old Town Winchester, VA, for an evening of non-stop hilarity featuring talented comedians who will keep you entertained all night long. With a lively atmosphere, great company, and plenty of laughs, this is the perfect way to kick off your Apple Blossom celebrations. Don’t miss an unforgettable evening of comedy—secure your tickets now and get ready for the ultimate laugh fest!  Featured comedians include headliner and Winchester native, Pete Buchbauer, and his special guests Chip Nicholson, and Jessica Keenan. 
​

Pete Buchbauer, Headliner
A native of Winchester, VA, and honing his skills in Washington, DC, Pete has been delighting audiences for over 16 years. Spending years as a “road comic” Pete finally set down roots in Los Angeles, CA where his comedy continued to grow. He has performed all over the country in some of the best clubs, theaters, and festivals including the D.C. Improv, The World Famous Comedy Store, Helium Comedy Club, Laughing Skull Comedy Club, and Caroline’s on Broadway. He has been named Best of the Fest in the Burbank Comedy Festival (2018, 2019, 2023), DC Comedy Fest (2018), and has been a top 100 finalist in the World Series of Comedy (2016, 2018, 2023). Pete’s debut album “Out of My League” is available on all streaming services and SiriusXM. Pete was once the co-host of The White Label Lounge, a music television show that streamed on Roku, in 2018 Pete was the voice of Harley in the pilot of the cartoon Spiritual Therapy for Cartoon Network, unfortunately it was not picked up for series, but in 2023 Pete was a 16 time champion on the game show Person, Place, or Thing on Fox, and in 2025 you can see him as the lead role in the feature film The Death of Ivan Nussbaum. 
 
Pete has shared the stage with such notable acts as Kevin Hart, Dave Chappelle, Jeff Ross, and John Mayer (it’s a long story). Pete’s production company The Popular Outcasts have been producing comedy shorts on YouTube as well as live stand up shows all over the country since 2009. Pete is excited to come back to Winchester for the Apple Blossom Festival and hopes the town he grew up in is ready to laugh.

Chip Nicholson
Raised in San Diego California, Chip Nicholson says he learned comedy from, “Growing up laughing with my mom at shows like Mad TV, SNL, In Living Color, All That, Def Comedy Jam, Martin, Fresh Prince of Bell Air, the Jamie Fox Show…. “. “I’d watch these shows and knew I wanted to have that kind of something with those kinds of people… I just didn’t know how to get my foot in that door ”. Until Chip found himself at his first open mic and.. “The moment after the last word of that last joke was the sound of applause. Everything blurred; sound into sight the cheers into the lights and found myself unable to stop smiling.” I had Chills. and that’s when I knew. That door I had searched for my foot to get into, I had tripped through and fallen for Stand Up Comedy”.
 
In the coming year Nicholson hopped from mic to mic doing 2-3open mics a night. When there wasn’t a mic, Karaoke’s.  Soon eyes turned to LA after graduation he moved up.
 
Chip was living the life - out of a car for the first couple months in LA.. It was a rough Black History Month. Nicholson says “Comedy isn’t as convenient as it is charming, but that’s what’s fun about journeys.” Chip Nicholson has lived a life of paradox that would be crazy not to laugh along with. Now in Los Angeles, Chip Headlines his happy go lucky style from Calgary Canada to Nashville Tennessee. Winning 2019’s top Finalist of the San Diego Comedy Festival, 2019’s Best of Fest Winner of Arizona’s Big Pine Comedy Festival and recently selected for the main show opening up for Reggie Watts at the Oklahoma 2024 Blue Whale Comedy Festival Chip is on the rise, sharing his passion for comedy, and invites you to fall for it too.

​Jessica Keenan
Jessica Keenan is a Mexican/Lebanese comedian who was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. She has appeared on HBO Max’s Ha Festival: The Art of Comedy and was also a finalist for Standup NBC.  In 2021, her first special was released on HBO Max: What She Said! Jessica made her Late-Night debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in August 2024.
 
As a staple of the Los Angeles comedy scene Jessica’s star is on the rise performing with the likes of David Spade, Bobby Lee, Tiffany Haddish, and more. If you didn’t know Jessica before you’ll be telling all your friends that you do now.

​Comedy fans can choose between two nights and three show times, with all shows taking place at Bright Box Theater in Old Town Winchester.  The Friday night show takes place on April 25 with VIP doors at 6:30 pm, general admission doors at 7:00 pm and showtime at 8:00 pm.  Saturday includes an early and late show.  The early show takes place on April 26 with VIP doors at 5:30 pm, general admission doors at 6:00 pm and showtime at 7:00 pm.  Saturday’s late show is general admission only with doors at 9:30 pm and showtime at 10:00 pm.  General admission tickets are $24 and VIP tickets are $29 per show.  General admission tickets at the door are $26 (if available.)
 
Tickets and more info available here or Bright Box Theater at for more details and to purchase tickets. 
 
Celebrate the 98th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® in Winchester, Virginia from April 25-May 4, 2025 where we have something for everyone!

The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® is excited to announce Angela Donadio as the featured speaker for this year’s Prayer Brunch, presented by Knouse Foods/Mussleman’s. The event will take place on Friday, May 2, at 11:00 AM, at the Winchester Church of God.

Angela Donadio is a dynamic speaker, author, musician, and advocate who inspires others to "make life matter" through faith, service, and missions. A gifted communicator, Angela is the author of books including Brave Enough to Believe, Fearless: Ordinary Women of the Bible Who Dared to Do Extraordinary Things, and Astounded: Encountering God in Everyday Moments. She also hosts the Make Life Matter podcast, which reaches listeners in over 100 nations and ranks in the top 10% of all podcasts globally.

Angela’s passion for global missions has taken her to over 30 countries, including more than two dozen trips across Africa. As the Founder of Voice of the Voiceless, she empowers women internationally through education and advocacy. Additionally, she is the Founder of the Communicators’ Collective, which supports Christian leaders and communicators with resources and community.

A seasoned worship leader, Angela has released three music albums and frequently speaks at conferences and events, including the National Day of Prayer and Women of Purpose. She encourages others to engage with God’s Word, embrace their calling, and discover the joy of living a life rooted in faith.

The Prayer Brunch presented by Knouse Foods/Mussleman’s is a cherished Festival tradition, offering attendees a meaningful time of fellowship and reflection. Angela’s inspiring message is sure to resonate deeply, leaving attendees encouraged and uplifted.

Tickets for the Prayer Brunch present by Knouse Foods/Mussleman’s are available. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Angela Donadio and be part of this unforgettable event during the 98th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®.

The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® is thrilled to announce that country music sensation Drew Baldridge will headline this year’s Malloy Toyota Country Music Party on the Q102 Stage! The event will take place at 8:00 pm on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the Tolley Dental Zone inside the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletic and Event Center on the campus of Shenandoah University.

Drew Baldridge has achieved enormous success across all aspects of his career—and he’s doing it on his own terms. With over 350 million total catalog streams, Baldridge has carved his own independent path, reaching milestone after milestone. His viral hit “She’s Somebody’s Daughter” has amassed over 400 million TikTok impressions and has been streamed over 120 million times, all without editorial playlists. Now climbing the Billboard Country Music Chart, the track has made its mark as a Top 10 hit with a fully independent team.  Last October, Baldridge released his second hit “Tough People” which was written by Adam Sanders, Jordan Walker and Luke Combs.  “Tough People” is currently featured on iHeartRadio’s 40 Biggest Country hits list and is making its way up the charts. 

Signed to Sony Music Publishing, Baldridge is also an accomplished songwriter, with over 500 songs to his name, including major label cuts for artists like Bailey Zimmerman, LOCASH, Chase Matthew, and more. Known for his electrifying live performances, he has shared the stage with country superstars like Eric Church, Jason Aldean, and Luke Bryan and toured with Granger Smith and LOCASH.

In 2025, Baldridge will be performing across the United States and Europe alongside Ashley McBryde Cody Johnson, Dierks Bentley, Lainey Wilson and many more.  Drew will also be joining Dylan Marlowe and Bailey Zimmerman starting in June for the New to Country Summer Tour.

Opening the evening will be Chris Darlington, an independent country artist from the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Influenced by legends like Garth Brooks and Chris Stapleton, Chris combines gritty vocals with heartfelt lyrics that resonate with fans across the country. Known for his hit singles like “Let Him In” and “Like Tomorrow’s Gone”.

Tickets for the Malloy Toyota Country Music Party go on sale on Monday, February 10, 2025. Don’t miss your chance to experience this exciting evening of live music during the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®.

Stay tuned for ticket information and additional updates by visiting our website at www.thebloom.com or following us on social media.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you as part of the 98th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® which takes place from April 25-May 4, 2025!

​On behalf of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for submitting your preorder for our exclusive vanity license plate. Your support brings us one step closer to making this unique initiative a reality!
 
As I am sure you are aware, we had to have a minimum preorder amount of 450 applications by the beginning of January.  Unfortunately, we did not meet the minimum applications for the General Assembly to consider our request for vanity plates during their 2025 session.  However, the DMV is allowing us to continue to accept applications with the hope that we collect the minimum number for the 2026 General Assembly session next year.  
 
We are reaching out to confirm your preference regarding your application. Please let us know if you would like to keep your application active or request a refund. Kindly respond by February 3, 2025, by either calling us at (540) 662-3863 or emailing [email protected].  
 
Thank you once again for your enthusiasm and support for the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®. Together, we can continue to celebrate the spirit of our community and strive toward achieving this exciting milestone.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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