Washington State Apple Blossom Festival
The Washington State Apple Blossom Festival is an annual celebration held in Wenatchee, Washington, recognized as the oldest blossom festival in the United States and a key civic event in the state. Originating in 1920 from the inspiration of Mrs. E. Wagner, the festival initially began as a modest musical tribute to the region’s apple industry, evolving over the years into a vibrant community celebration. Initially named Blossom Days, the festival has expanded in duration, now spanning over a week and including parades, pageants, and the crowning of the Apple Blossom Queen.
The festival has grown to encompass a wide array of activities and community participation, making it a significant event not just for Wenatchee but for the larger Washington state region. Despite interruptions during World War II and in 1932, the festival has been a staple since its rebranding to the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival in 1947. Additionally, it has established a cultural exchange with Japan through a sister relationship with the Aomori Apple Blossom Festival. This festival not only celebrates the beauty of apple blossoms but also fosters community spirit and regional pride.
Washington State Apple Blossom Festival
Washington State Apple Blossom Festival
This is a movable event
The Washington State Apple Blossom Festival is held annually in the central apple-growing region of Washington state. Beginning in 1970, the festival, which is timed to include the first weekend in May, was extended to a full six days from Tuesday through Sunday. In 1972 the celebration was expanded to nine days. By 1997, it was eleven days long, from April 24 through May 4, although the exact dates may change from year to year.
The Washington State Apple Blossom Festival has the distinction of being the oldest blossom festival in the United States, as well as the state's oldest major civic event. Its origins extend back to 1920, when Mrs. E. Wagner, a native of New Zealand, recalled the blossom festival in her former homeland and suggested to the Ladies' Musical Club that a similar celebration be held in Wenatchee, Washington. The first of the Blossom Days, as the festival was initially entitled, was conceived as a modest musical tribute to the chief industry of the developing community. A simple program held in Memorial Park consisted of speeches and songs. In 1921 the first festival queen was chosen from the student body of the local high school to “rule over” the Wenatchee Valley, and a parade was staged. By 1923 the one-day event had grown to include not only a queen but a King Apple and four lesser queens. Only the selection of the Apple Blossom Queen survived as an annual feature, but during the first ten years a pageant and fireworks display were added, and neighboring communities were invited.
Community effort grew more extensive, and Blossom Days became known as the Wenatchee Apple Blossom Festival, or the North-Central Wenatchee Apple Blossom Festival. It was held annually with the exception of 1932 and the years during World War II. By 1946 the first day of a then two-day celebration included a schoolchildren's costume parade, a royal banquet, and a queen's ball attended by the governor and other dignitaries. The second day featured the festival parade with floats, the coronation of the Apple Blossom Festival Queen and a pageant by high school students.
Although financed and produced by Wenatchee, the festival was designated the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival in 1947. The change of title was made in view of the festival's importance as one of the nation's largest civic celebrations and in recognition of the widespread participation of people throughout the state and the Pacific Northwest. In 1967 the festival formed a sister relationship with the Aomori Apple Blossom Festival of Japan, and the Washington State Apple Blossom Queen traveled to Japan as guest of the Aomori Broadcasting Company, which sponsored the Japanese event.