SABF seeks volunteers to revitalize parade floats
The 96th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival is quickly approaching, and they announced that your help is needed for one of the most important parts of the parade.
The Festival’s sixteen floats need freshening up after their yearly storage in the Noland’s Plumbing Supply Building on Papermill Road.
From now until the end of April, volunteers will meet to help dust, clean, patch, build and paint the floats which will be used in the upcoming parades.
The open work times include Wednesdays from 1-6 pm, Saturdays from 1-8 pm and Sundays from 1- 6 pm.
All supplies are provided.
Credit certificates for volunteer hours are available.
For questions or more information, call 540-662-3863 or just show up at the warehouse.
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Sharen E. Gromling Elected President for the 96th and 97th SABF
Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® Board of Directors unanimously elected
Sharen E. Gromling to serve as the organization’s President for a two-year term beginning on Monday,
June 27, 2022. Gromling replaces now Past President, Thomas (Tommy) Price who served as President
for the 94th and 95th Festivals.
Sharen has volunteered with the Festival for the past 42 years. She first started working with other
City of Winchester officials hosting the Mayor’s Luncheon held immediately before the parade at the
Jim Barnett Park War Memorial Building. Although this event is no longer held, for years it brought
Mayors from all over the region to our Festival to ride in the parade. Prior to becoming a Festival Vice
President she also co-chaired the Celebrity Luncheon which was held for dignitaries and celebrities
prior to the Grand Feature Parade and was the Chair of the Queen’s Dinner, an event that offered
attendees a look at the Queen Designate and her Court as they entered through a Sabre Arch and the
traditional cutting of the Queen’s Apple Pie.
When asked why the Festival is important to her, Sharen stated “For me it’s about the people. I love
seeing this community open its arms to people from all over who come together to celebrate the
apple industry and the beautiful blossoms. The happy look on a child’s face, the laughter of friends
and family coming together for a special moment in time, watching an army of dedicated, hardworking volunteers pull off this 40+ events, 10-day festival – that’s what makes the Festival special to
me.”
Sharen and her husband Tom, a local dentist, will celebrate 44 years of marriage later this month.
They have two children, 34 year-old Tim and 33 year-old Wendy. Tom and Sharen enjoy spending
time with their family and friends, traveling especially to Disney, running races and riding their tandem
bike. Sharen serves as the Executive Director of Our Health, Inc., a regional health and human services
nonprofit. Prior to this she served as the Director of Administration and Human Resources for the City
of Winchester for 30 years.
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NFL Legend Terry Bradshaw leads SABF
This year’s Grand Marshall for the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival was Terry Bradshaw.
He was excited to finally make it to the festival after originally signing on two years ago.
Bradshaw was impressed by the amount of Steeler’s fans in the area and has his own ties to the region.
His favorite song to sing with his daughter is “Crazy” by Winchester native Patsy Cline.
Bradshaw said, “we have been singing that song together since she was 3 years old but my daughter is a much better singer than I am.”
The Hall of Fame quarterback reflected on his career and said what he is most proud of are his four Super Bowl victories.
“Anybody can have stats but to be a great quarterback you have to win,” said Bradshaw.
He then went on to discuss some of his favorite quarterbacks to watch play currently, “Tom Brady, Justin Herbert, Patrick Mahomes, and Matt Stafford have the stats and can win.”
When turning his focus to the newest Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett he said, “I got to speak with him the day after he was drafted and congratulated him. Pittsburgh is a great franchise and will put him in a position to succeed. It’s the perfect fit. He’s smart and competitive.”
Terry also believes that Carson Wentz should succeed in Washington with the Commanders, “as long as he gets protection. He was unfairly criticized after his injury, but I am rooting for him. He’s a good person and I like to root for good people.”
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SABF Country Music Party features local talent
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.
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95th SABF is in full Bloom
We are in full Bloom here in the Shenandoah Valley as the 95th Apple Blossom Festival is here.
Today will bring us some of the marquis events like the Grand Feature Parade which will have bands from around the country, floats, and this year’s Grand Marshall Terry Bradshaw and Sports Marshall Julius Erving.
Then put on your dancing boots for the Square dance or the Country Music Party.
Bloomin Sunday will cap things off at the Frederick County Fairgrounds with fun for the whole family.
For a full list of events, click here.
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News Maker Dario Savarese on SABF Events
Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival (SABF) is just heating up with a new Festival event tonight Apr. 26 the Veteran’s Dinner and Show starts at 5 at Millwood Station.
We spoke with SABF Marketing Director Dario Savarese in our latest news maker.
The good news is brought to you by The Town of Front Royal.
Dario tells us of the dances that are still to come this week.
Dario has the latest on the Oldies, 80’s and 90’s dance parties which pick up tomorrow Apr. 27.
He also tells us that Sunday in the park is set with entertainer Robbie Limon.
The one thing to keep in mind is that tickets to many of these events sell fast so go to thebloom.com to check on all SABF events.
Click here for Dario’s interview.
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Winchester schedule for SABF
The City of Winchester announced its schedule for the weekend of Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival (SABF).
City Administrative Offices will be closed on Friday Apr. 29.
Friday refuse will be collected but it must be curbside by 5 a.m. on Friday Apr. 29.
The War Memorial Building will be closed both Friday and Saturday Apr. 29 and 30.
The Joint Judicial Center will be closed Friday Apr. 29.
Win Tran will not operate on Friday or Saturday Apr. 29 or 30 it will resume normal operation Mon. May 2.
Roads will close for Friday’s Apr. 29 Firefighters Parade starting at 3 p.m. lasting until approximately 8:30 p.m..
The Grand Feature Parade routes will close to all traffic 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Saturday Apr. 30.
Bag Checks will be in place at many of the entrances of Apple Blossom events.
Service animals will be the only animals permitted at any event.
Winchester Police suggest you not bring bags to any events unless absolutely necessary.
Diaper bags with necessary items for children are permitted but maybe checked.
Vehicles will be towed if parked in streets marked closed to parking.
Full details and maps are available at winchesterva.gov as well as at thebloom.com.
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News Maker Dario Savarese on the start of SABF Today 4/22
Today Apr. 22 the Shenandoah Apple Blossom (SABF) 2022 officially begins with the Bloomin’ Wine Festival on Old Town Winchester’s Loudoun Street Mall.
We spoke with SABF Marketing Director Dario Savarese in our latest news maker about everything happening this weekend.
The good news is brought to you by The Town of Front Royal.
Dario not only tells us about today’s Bloomin’ Wine Festival but other new events scheduled for this weekend.
Dario also tells us of the traffic feature at thebloom.com to help with parking and traffic during the festivities.
Click here for Dario’s interview.
Tickets and event information is available here.
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Winchester parking for SABF
The City of Winchester announced road closures will begin tomorrow Apr. 22 in Winchester for the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival (SABF).
Boscawen Street to Indian Alley as well as Cameron Street will close at noon Friday Apr. 22 until 7 p.m. Saturday Apr. 23 for the SABF Bloomin’ Wine Festival.
Winchester also announced that cash is no longer accepted at any of the four parking garages in Old Town.
Payment can only be made by credit or debit card.
Parking for the SABF Bloomin’ Wine Fest is $10 to be collected at the gate of any of the Autoparks in downtown.
The Autoparks will be available for a $15 fee for both the Firefighter’s and Grand Feature Parades.
However entry and exit will be restricted at the Braddock St. Autopark during the parades.
Access restrictions will also be in place for monthly tenants as well.
Information on parking is available here.
A map for easy travel during the SABF is found here.
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Devil’s Backbone releases Apple Blossom beverage
Devil’s Backbone released a brand new beverage for the upcoming Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival.
Apple Blossom Smash is now on sale at select local retailers and bars for a limited time.
The cocktail in a can is made with vodka, cranberry and apple juice and comes out to 7.5% ABV.
The tagline boosts putting the whole festival in a can so give it a try while it’s available.
Always remember to drink responsibly.
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