Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival Celebrates 100 Years

100th anniversary for the northern Shenandoah Valley region — come celebrate the bloom!

WINCHESTER, VA — 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in beautiful and historic Winchester, VA. The milestone overlaps with the 100th anniversary of the opening of the George Washington A. Wyndham Grand Hotel, the first graduating class from John Handley High School, and the founding of the Shenandoah Travel Association, all of whom are longstanding partners to the festival. In the spring of 1924, with assistance from the Shenandoah Valley Travel Association, the City of Winchester eagerly volunteered to host the very first Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival on May 3. The festival was created to honor the apple industry and showcase the northern Shenandoah Valley. The one-day festival celebrated the passing of winter’s hardships and welcomed the blooming of pink and white apple blossoms that still canvas the valley. Even today, apples continue to be a major part of Winchester’s agricultural industry.

Through the unwavering support of volunteers and community partners, the festival has navigated many highs and lows, including a world war, pandemic, and other world-changing events. The festival halted operations of its springtime celebration for three years during World War II, and because of the hiatus, the festival will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2024 and its 100th festival in 2027. Since its humble beginnings, the festival has blossomed from a one-day event into the two-week festival that we know and love today. The festival website features a “Stay & Play” page, which offers many opportunities for families and couples to enjoy the festival events as well as other activities, historic sites, trails, museums, restaurants, breweries, and wineries in the area.

Today, the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival boasts more than 50 different events. “There is something for everyone at the festival,” says Sharen Gromling, the current festival president. Each year, over 200,000 festival attendees immerse themselves in everything Winchester has to offer. Internationally-known celebrities and sports guests make appearances at festival events and ride through the historic streets in Old Town Winchester during the Firefighters and Grand Feature parades.

The festival relies on a network of over 2,000 volunteers and local businesses to plan the event. Dozens of local civic groups, schools, and youth charities benefit from funds raised through the festival’s sale of concessions, souvenir programs, and parade seating. It is estimated that the festival provides a $10 million impact on the regional economy. Support from the Virginia Tourism Corporation “Virginia is for Lovers” campaign also assists in marketing efforts to bring awareness throughout the East Coast.

Bring your family and join in celebrating 100 years of fun and tradition. Festival dates run from Friday, April 26, to Sunday, May 5, 2024. For more information, visit thebloom.com or contact (540) 662-3863.

Photos courtesy of Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival.

Posted on: March 24, 2024