Sam Grow and Ryan Jewell took the stage for this year’s Country Music Party for the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival.

The headliner, Sam Grow, returned for his third Apple Blossom but the first as the main performer.

Grow said, “The number one reason I wanted to come back is because of the people. These are amazing, salt of the earth people. When they called and asked me to headline, I was honored.”

Ryan Jewell, a Warren County High School alumni, was excited to return to the festival for his second year in a row. “I love having the event back at the Wilkins Center. The energy is much better this year with a full slate of events,” said Jewell.

Kara Britz, an alumni of John Handley High School, also graced the stage taking time out of her schedule which includes touring with former Country Music Party headliner Blake Shelton and backing up artists on The Voice.