Lopez: Honored to be parade's grand marshal

Mario Lopez's star shone brightly at the Apple Blossom Festival's Grand Feature Parade in Winchester Saturday, but he confessed to feeling a little frazzled an hour before he was to begin greeting his adoring public as the parade's grand marshal.

Dorsett crowned Queen LXXXV

WINCHESTER -- Jazmyn Marie "Jazz" Dorsett officially assumed the role of Queen Shenandoah LXXV on Friday to reign over this year's Bloom.

Proud papa: NFL great Dorsett focused on family

WINCHESTER -- Tony Dorsett has been to the Apple Blossom Festival before. The former Dallas Cowboys star running back was a sports guest in 1985, while he was still playing. He's back again this year, but this time it's much more special for him.

Wallace now son's biggest race fan

WINCHESTER -- Rusty Wallace has done it all on the track. He's raced in 706 races in over 25 years, including 55 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins. He's been the Winston Cup Series champion and raced against some of the best drivers to ever get inside a race car. However, watching his son, Steve, is every bit as thrilling and exciting for him.

Honorary grand marshal is an inspiration

Retired Army Capt. Leslie Smith isn't such a joyful person in spite of losing a leg and being nearly completely blind. She is that way because of those handicaps.

Apple Blossom Bloomers

The Apple Blossom Bloomers luncheon was held Friday inside the Shentel tent in Winchester.

Salute to firefighters

Rusty Wallace, a 55-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winner, rides in the Firefighter's Parade in Winchester as the Firefighter's Marshal of the LXXXV Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival.

Commonwealth Luncheon brings good crowd, good cheer

Laughter flowed like water and bonhomie filled the air Friday as nearly 400 businessmen gathered Friday for the BB&T Men's Commonwealth Luncheon at the Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester.

Winchester author regales horticulture luncheon

Winchester author Jay Foreman and the women who attended the Ladies' Horticultural Luncheon Friday morning share a common denominator -- both are about growth.

Firefighters Reception shows meaning of community

WINCHESTER -- Thursday night's Firefighter Reception wasn't just a chance for citizens to come out and enjoy themselves; it gave the area's firefighters an opportunity to relax and build camaraderie.

Apple Pie Baking Contest blossoms with flavor

Ellen and Hannah Keri, mother and daughter from Fauquier County, surprise each other by winning their respective categories in the annual Apple Blossom baking competition.

Bloom reigns as in weekend calendar

Winchester will reign as the entertainment capital of the Northern Shenandoah Valley this weekend as the marathon Apple Blossom Festival reaches its peak.

Twice as nice: Snow, Schultz tie for Pro-Am crown

FRONT ROYAL -- Bryan Snow and Dirk Schultz each took a share of the Top Pro honors as both golfers ended the day with a 65 at the 16th annual Apple Blossom Festival Pro-Am Golf Tournament at Shenandoah Valley Golf Club on Wednesday.

Queen 'Jazz' arrives in the Valley

WINCHESTER -- Queen Shenandoah LXXXV, Jazmyn 'Jazz' Dorsett, arrived in the city Wednesday night after a slight delay, and said her first impression was that Winchester is "absolutely gorgeous."

Sheetz calls family values key to company's success

Louie Sheetz gave an audience at the Valley Health Business at the Bloom Wednesday in Winchester a lesson about the importance of family values in forging the success of the convenience store chain that bears his name.

Rusty Wallace named 2012 Firefighters' Marshal

Long-time NASCAR driver and ESPN broadcaster Russell William "Rusty" Wallace will be the Firefighters' Marshal for the 85th Apple Blossom Festival, according to a release issued Monday by festival president Tom Scully.

Bloom honorary marshal named

WINCHESTER -- Leslie Nicole Smith will serve as the Honorary Grand Marshal for the 85th Celebration of the Blooms, according to a press release from the festival office in Winchester.

Kimberly's Pumps and Pearls Ladies Party

The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival is under way. On Monday night, area women gathered at the George Washington Hotel in Winchester for the annual Kimberly's Pumps and Pearls Ladies Party. Photos by Rich Cooley/Daily

Toasting the weekend

Amine Tahiri, of Richmond, serves up a kabob at the Grapevine Restaurant's booth at the food court along the Loudoun Street Pedestrian Mall during the United Bank Bloomin' Wine Fest on Friday. The event, which continues today, features 30 artisans and vendors as well as wine to officially kick-off the Apple Blossom Festival.

Williford, Mease headed to Festival

Organizers of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival have announced two more sports celebrities as guests for this event.

Handley Library to close for festival

WINCHESTER -- Handley Regional Library will be closed on May 4 and May 5 in observance of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, a library press release said.

Eyre to be court ambassador

WINCHESTER -- Organizers of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival have announced that Major General Michael Reese Eyre, of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Trans-Atlantic Division, will serve as Court Ambassador at the Coronation of Queen Shenandoah LXXXV-Designate, Jazmyn "Jazz" Dorsett, on the afternoon of May 4, in the Handley High School Auditorium in Winchester.

Eagle Scouts to march in parade

WINCHESTER -- In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the first Eagle Scout, the Shenandoah Area Council for the Boy Scouts of America invites 100 local Eagle Scouts to march in the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival's Grand Feature Parade on May 5.

Troops to ride in parade

WINCHESTER -- Members of the Apple Blossom Committee and organizations throughout the Winchester/Frederick County area will present a salute to U.S. troops in the Grand Feature Parade on May 5, according to a press release from the Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing in Winchester.

Radio DJs to emcee at Bloom

WINCHESTER -- Festival organizers for the Jim Stutzman Chevrolet-Cadillac Life's a Beach Party have announced TV3 Winchester's staff will return as emcees.

New Sprint Tent to limit parking

WINCHESTER -- Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival organizers have announced changes in the new 2012 Sprint Tent's location and event regulations at Winchester Medical Center, according to a press release from the festival office in Winchester.

City agencies prep for Bloom

WINCHESTER -- Representatives with several city agencies held a press briefing Thursday to inform the public about preparations for the festival which begins today with the United Bank Bloomin' Wine Fest. The event runs through Saturday. Other festival-related attractions continue through the week culminating in the Firefighters Parade on Friday and the Grand Feature Parade on May 5.

Clown of renown

Cole Bros. Circus has graced the Apple Blossom festival with its presence many times over the years, but 2012's event will be extra special, as the company was able to recruit world famous comedic daredevil Bello Nock for three days of performances in Winchester.

Flutie selected as Apple Blossom Sports Marshal

WINCHESTER -- Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival President Tom Scully announced Wednesday that famed quarterback Doug Flutie will serve as Sports Marshal for the 2012 Apple Blossom Festival.