Categories
Food & Drink, Family, Community Highlights, Local Attractions, Local Events, Local Culture, Local Insights, Northern Virginia Attractions, Sports & Community, Virginia Events, Wine & FoodPosted by Chris Colgan on Saturday, April 26th, 2025 12:00pm.
Spring has sprung in Winchester, and that means one thing – Apple Blossom Festival time! The 98th annual Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival (known locally as “The Bloom”) is back from April 25 through May 4, 2025 thebloom.com. Picture pink and green decorations everywhere, the sweet scent of apple blossoms in the air, and a whole town ready to celebrate. This 10-day extravaganza draws over 250,000 visitors with more than 50 events ranging from parades and parties to luncheons and carnivalswinchesterva.gov. It’s a beloved tradition that turns Winchester into a playground of food, fun, and fanfare each spring. In this blog post, we’ll dive into all the juicy details of 2025’s festival, so grab your favorite pink and green attire and get ready to bloom!
credits:https://www.thebloom.com/
Mark your calendars – The Bloom runs Friday, April 25 through Sunday, May 4, 2025 thebloom.com, packed with events nearly every day. The fun kicks off the first weekend with the United Bank Bloomin’ Wine Fest (April 25–26) and wraps up the following weekend with the big Grand Feature Parade (May 3) and final day festivities. Here are a few key dates and highlights to note:
Friday, April 25: Festival officially opens. Bloomin’ Wine Fest Day 1 (3:00–10:00 PM) downtown thebloom.ticketspice.com; Apple Blossom Carnival opens at 5:00 PM at the mall instagram.com.
Saturday, April 26: Wine Fest Day 2 (11:00 AM–6:00 PM) thebloom.ticketspice.com; carnival continues; various events and live music.
Mid-Week (April 29–May 1): Events like the Business at the Bloom luncheon (Apr 30), Prayer Brunch (May 2 at 11:00 AM)thebloom.com, and Ladies’ & Men’s Commonwealth Luncheons take place. The town stays busy with dances, receptions, and even a tennis tournament at Stonebrook Club.
Friday, May 2: Big day! Hang 10 Car Wash Firefighters’ Parade at 5:30 PM downtown thebloom.com, preceded by the Coronation of Queen Shenandoah XCVIII at 1:30 PM. Evening brings the 80’s Dance Party (8 PM–12 AM) and the elegant Queen’s Ball.
Saturday, May 3: Jam-packed finale weekend. Partlow Insurance Sports Breakfast at 8:00 AM, Apple Blossom 10K Race & Kids’ Bloomin’ Mile in the morning, and the Glo Fiber Grand Feature Parade stepping off at 1:30 PM. That night: the Malloy Toyota Country Music Party featuring live country concerts at 8:00 PMthebloom.com.
Sunday, May 4: Final events, including a Worship Service and the last day of the carnival. By evening, Winchester says goodbye to The Bloom until next year.
As you can see, nearly every hour of the festival has something fun going on. Now let’s break down the must-see events and unique experiences by category so you can plan your adventure!
One of the biggest draws of Apple Blossom are its fantastic parades – and 2025 has two you absolutely shouldn’t miss:
Hang 10 Firefighters’ Parade (Friday, May 2 @ 5:30 PM): This Friday evening parade honors our fire and rescue heroes with dozens of fire trucks, rescue squads, and marching units from across the region. It’s led this year by Firefighters’ Parade Marshal Anthony “Tony” Ferraris, a real Chicago firefighter and actor on NBC’s Chicago Fire.Expect flashing lights, sirens blaring, and firefighters young and old proudly marching. Kids love seeing the shiny engines and mascots, and there’s a real hometown pride as the community applauds its first responders. (Keep an eye out for NFL legend Brian Mitchell in this parade, too – he’s riding along before the big game the next daythebloom.com!)
Glo Fiber Grand Feature Parade (Saturday, May 3 @ 1:30 PM): This is the crown jewel of The Bloom. On Saturday afternoon, historic downtown Winchester becomes a sea of floats, marching bands, dancers, clowns, and celebrity guests waving from convertibles. The Grand Marshal, TV star Alfonso Ribeiro, will be heading up the procession (thebloom.com.) – you might even catch him doing a little Carlton dance as he passes by! Marching bands from regional high schools and colleges bring the energy with drumlines and fight songs. Local businesses and civic groups create elaborate themed floats, and of course Queen Shenandoah and her Court make a regal appearance, waving from a blossom-bedecked float. This parade is huge – about 5 divisions long, nearly 4 miles of pure spectaclevisitwinchesterva.com. Pro tip: arrive early to stake out a good viewing spot (folks start setting up lawn chairs hours in advance for the Grand Feature Parade)
In addition to the big two, the festival features other traditions of pageantry. On Friday, the Queen’s Coronation is a lovely ceremony where the festival’s chosen queen, Mary Clare Davis, will be officially crowned Queen Shenandoah XCVIII. Mary Clare happens to be the great-granddaughter of the late Rev. Billy Graham – continuing a family tradition, since her mother was Apple Blossom Queen in 1993! The coronation (Friday at 1:30 PM in John Handley High School’s auditorium) is full of pomp: flower girls, trumpet fanfare, and the Queen receiving her crown and robe thebloom.com. It’s a uniquely Winchester blend of community and tradition
Also keep an eye out for the Apple Blossom Princesses – a court of local students selected to serve alongside the Queen. They’ll be in the parades and events, adding to the royal flair. Between the parades, coronation, and plenty of crowns and tiaras around town, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a springtime fairy tale!
If live music, parties, and delicious libations are your thing, Apple Blossom has you covered. The festival’s after-hours scene is a blast – from wine tasting to line dancing, there’s a party for everyone:
Bloomin’ Wine Fest (April 25–26): This two-day outdoor wine festival is the official “Uncork the Bloom” kickoff eventvisitwinchesterva.com. Held in Old Town Winchester’s pedestrian mall, the Wine Fest features spectacular Virginia wines and ciders for tasting, plus craft beers, food trucks, and nonstop live music on outdoor stages instagram.com. It’s a 21 event where you can buy a tasting package or by-the-glass. Grab a souvenir wine glass and stroll through the historic streets sampling local chardonnays and hard ciders. There’s nothing like sipping a crisp Virginia wine while listening to a rocking local cover band and chatting with friends on a beautiful spring evening. The vibe is super friendly – basically one big wine block party! 2025 hours are Friday 3–10 PM and Saturday 11 AM–6 PM thebloom.ticketspice.com. Plan to arrive early on Friday if you want easier parking (more on parking tips later). Cheers!
Concerts & Parties: Music lovers, rejoice – The Bloom brings in great acts. On Saturday, May 3 at 8:00 PM, the Malloy Toyota Country Music Party hits the stage at Shenandoah University. Headlining this year is Drew Baldridge, a rising country star known for his viral hit “She’s Somebody’s Daughter”. With 350 million streams to his name and a high-energy stage show, Baldridge will have fans dancing in their boots. Opening for him is West Virginia’s own Chris Darlington, so expect a full night of toe-tapping tunes. This concert is a ticketed event (indoor venue), and it’s hugely popular – essentially Apple Blossom’s version of a country-rock mini music festival. If country’s not your thing, check out the various dance parties: Friday night features the ’80s Dance Party (live 1980s cover band The Deloreans are returning to play all the hits!) and on Saturday the Bright Box Theater downtown is hosting a 2000’s Dance Party for those who want to groove to Y2K-era jams thebloom.ticketspice.com. There’s also the formal Queen’s Ball on Friday, where you can actually dance the night away with Queen Shenandoah and her court (yes, tiaras on the dance floor!). No matter your musical taste – be it rock, pop, country or retro – The Bloom has a night event for you.
Local Bands & Street Entertainment: Throughout festival week, expect music all over town. The Wine Fest, as mentioned, has continuous bands. You’ll also find live music at the Midway (an Old Town street fair area with vendors and games) and during events like the Old Town Midway Mixers. Even the parades double as music events thanks to the dozens of marching bands. It’s truly an atmosphere of celebration – you might encounter a barbershop quartet singing on a street corner or a DJ spinning tunes at a block party. The city literally comes alive with sound during The Bloom.
And if you need a break from the noise, don’t worry – there are quieter events too, like the Prayer Brunch featuring an inspirational speaker or the Apple Blossom Garden Party (a genteel picnic). But one thing’s for sure: you won’t be bored! This festival’s entertainment offerings are as diverse as they are fun.
Bringing the kids? Looking for wholesome fun? The Apple Blossom Festival is very family-friendly – there’s plenty to keep little ones (and young-at-heart adults) entertained
Apple Blossom Carnival (April 25–May 4): All week long, the Apple Blossom Mall parking lot transforms into a vibrant carnival Midway. Think Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, tilt-a-whirl, bumper cars – all the classic rides – plus game booths where you can try to win a giant stuffed animal. There’s also plenty of delicious carnival food: funnel cakes dusted in powdered sugar, cotton candy, corn dogs, kettle corn, and local favorites. The carnival is run by Powers & Thomas Midway Entertainment (they’ve really upped the game with new rides and a safe, family-focused layout this year). In fact, the festival announced several new safety measures – like a $5 entry fee, adult chaperone requirements for teens, and bag checks – to ensure everyone has a **safe, fun time thebloom.com. The carnival is open daily except Monday 4/28 (the rides need a rest day!), generally starting late afternoons on weekdays and earlier on weekends. A pro tip for families: go early in the day on Saturday or Sunday when it’s a bit less crowded and lines are shorter. And don’t forget to snap a pic of the kiddos at the top of the Ferris wheel with the Shenandoah Valley sunset behind them – it’s an Instagram-worthy moment every year.
Kids’ Bloomin’ Mile & 10K Race: Saturday morning (May 3) will kick off with some exercise before the parade. The Apple Blossom 10K Race is a tradition for local runners, winding through Winchester’s streets and finishing just in time for parade lineup. For the little ones, there’s the Bloomin’ Mile, a fun one-mile run for kids that often features hundreds of children racing through downtown to earn their own medal thebloom.com. It’s adorable and embodies the community spirit – you’ll see whole families cheering on as even toddlers trot across the finish line. If you’re a runner, you can register to join; if not, it’s still fun to watch and cheer.
Weekend in the Park: Although not as central in 2025’s schedule, historically the festival has had “Weekend in the Park” with activities at a local park (crafts, petting zoo, etc.). Keep an eye on the schedule – sometimes there are free concerts or magic shows for kids during the day. And of course, the parades are very kid-friendly – what child doesn’t love marching bands, clowns tossing candy, and huge character balloons/floats? This year, the Washington Nationals Racing Presidents mascots (George, Tom, Abe, Teddy) and Screech the eagle will be roaming the parades giving high-fives thebloom.com. That’s a must-see for the young (and young-at-heart) fans of goofy mascot antics!
Carnival Family Fun Night: New this year, organizers added a special Carnival Family Fun Night on Thursday, May 1 – with discounted ride wristbands and a “Teen Night Dance” inside the mall for ages 12-16 (with a DJ, snacks, and prizes)instagram.com. It’s clear the festival wants to provide safe, supervised fun for local youth and families alike. Parents can let the teens dance while they sneak in a few extra rounds of Skee-Ball – win-win!
Bottom line: Apple Blossom is absolutely a family event. In the daytime you’ll see strollers everywhere and kids with painted faces licking ice cream cones. At night, the carnival lights sparkle and families ride the Ferris wheel together. It’s a multi-generational celebration – from toddlers to grandparents, everyone finds something to enjoy.
One thing that makes the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival extra special is its tradition of inviting celebrities and notable figures to participate. 2025 is no exception – the lineup of special guests is stacked! Here are some of the star highlights you can spot around The Bloom this year:
Alfonso Ribeiro – Grand Marshal: The Grand Marshal for 2025 is none other than Alfonso Ribeiro, host of Dancing with the Stars and America’s Funniest Home Videos, and beloved for playing Carlton on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Ribeiro has a huge personality and is sure to bring extra fun to the Grand Feature Parade. He’ll also appear at the Sports Breakfast Saturday morning thebloom.com. If you’re lucky, you might catch him showing off some dance moves (fingers crossed for a Carlton Dance sighting!). Having a Hollywood and TV star of his caliber adds real sparkle to the festivities.
Ryan Zimmerman – Sports Marshal: Baseball fans, get excited – Washington Nationals legend Ryan Zimmerman is serving as the Sports Marshal for this year’s festival. Zimmerman, aka “Mr. National,” is a 2019 World Series champion and arguably the face of D.C. baseball. He’ll be the keynote speaker at the Partlow Insurance Sports Breakfast on May 3, sharing stories from his 17-year MLB career. You can also catch him riding in both the Firefighters’ Parade Friday and the Grand Feature Parade Saturday, likely wearing Nats gear and that big championship ring thebloom.com. Sports heroes are always a huge hit at The Bloom – expect lots of Nats fans lining the route for an autograph or wave from #11.
Anthony “Tony” Ferraris – Firefighters’ Marshal: As mentioned earlier, Chicago firefighter and actor Tony Ferraris is honored as the Firefighters’ Parade Marshal.Festival-goers can see Tony leading the procession of fire trucks on Friday night. Given his dual real/TV firefighter fame, he’s especially popular with fire and rescue families. Tony is also visiting other events Friday (the Fire Truck Rodeo at Millbrook High and the First Responders’ Dinner)thebloom.com – so if you see a guy who looks like that firefighter from Chicago Fire, it’s probably actually him! He’s known to be very friendly to fans.
Robert Carradine – Court Ambassador: Here’s a fun one for the movie buffs – actor Robert Carradine (of Revenge of the Nerds fame) will be Court Ambassador this year. He’ll be at the Queen’s Coronation to assist the royal court and is also slated to ride in both parades. Carradine might not be as instantly recognizable to kids, but 80s film fans will get a kick out of seeing “Lewis Skolnick” in person. Plus, he’s hosting special movie screenings at Alamo Drafthouse during festival week (including a world premiere of a film he’s in)thebloom.com – a neat bonus event for cinephiles.
Brian Mitchell & Charles Mann – NFL Legends: The Sports Breakfast on May 3 is essentially a who’s who of sports greats. In addition to Zimmerman, Brian Mitchell (Super Bowl champion and former Redskins star) and Charles Mann (3-time Super Bowl champ with the Redskins) will be special guest speakers. These two were huge NFL players in their day, and they’ll also appear in the parades. If you’re a Washington Commanders fan, this is an amazing chance to see some Burgundy-and-Gold royalty up close. Mitchell hasn’t been back to the festival since 1993 thebloom.com, so it’s a homecoming of sorts for him.
Washington Nationals Racing Presidents & Screech: For some lighthearted fun, the Nationals are also sending their Racing Presidents mascots (the oversized George Washington, Abe Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, etc.) and Screech the Eagle to the festival thebloom.com. They’ll pop up at the Sports Breakfast and then delight the crowd in the Grand Feature Parade. These goofy mascots are fan favorites – watch for Teddy’s big head bobbing along and the crowd chanting for him to finally win a race! It’s a cool crossover of DC sports culture into Winchester’s festival.
Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel – Honored Guest: A particularly touching special guest this year is DJ Daniel, a young boy battling terminal cancer who has been made an Honorary U.S. Secret Service agent. DJ has a mission to be sworn into 1000 law enforcement agencies (to raise awareness for childhood cancer), and he’s achieved it – becoming a national inspiration. The festival invited DJ to ride in the parades as an honorary guest of honor thebloom.com. Be sure to give him a big cheer – his story embodies the spirit of courage and community.
And that’s not all – many events have local celebrities, dignitaries, and past festival queens in attendance. Don’t be surprised if you bump into a Miss Virginia here or a famous author there. But the above are the marquee names generating buzz. The festival even publishes a full “celebrity appearances” schedule so fans can know where to find their favorites – whether it’s getting Alfonso Ribeiro’s autograph or snapping a selfie with Screech. The blend of Hollywood, sports, and local heroes is part of what makes Apple Blossom unique. Where else can you in one weekend see a TV star, two NFL champs, a baseball hero, a movie “nerd,” and four giant president mascots?
Attending a festival as large and busy as Apple Blossom can be daunting – but fear not! Here are some insider tips on parking, places to eat, and where to stay that will help you enjoy The Bloom like a Winchester local
Parking: With downtown streets closing for parades and huge crowds expected, parking requires strategy. The City of Winchester operates four downtown parking garages (Court Square, Braddock, Loudoun, and George Washington Autoparks). During major festival events, they charge a flat $25 event parking fee upon entry. On Wine Fest days (Apr 25–26), the garages start charging at 12:30 PM Fri and 8:30 AM Sat ; for Parades (May 2–3), garages charge starting 9 AM Fri and 8 AM Sat. What does this mean? Arrive early if you want a garage spot – they can fill up. Braddock Autopark in particular closes completely during the main parade, so avoid that one on Sat. A good strategy is to park in a garage by mid-morning Saturday, enjoy Old Town or events, then already be downtown for the 1:30 parade (just don’t plan to leave until after it’s over and roads reopen). If garages are full, look for legal street parking a few blocks away from the downtown core – just heed the temporary No Parking signs or your car will get towed (the city strictly enforces festival no-parking zones) winchesterva.gov. Another option: if you’re coming just for the Grand Feature Parade, some residents near downtown offer parking in their yards for a fee. It’s not official, but it’s common and can put you close to the action. For the carnival at the mall, parking is free in the mall lot, but it can be congested – you might have to loop around to find a space, especially on weekend nights. Patience is key. Bottom line: get there early, use the garages, and be ready to walk a bit – it’s all part of the experience.
Where to Eat: All that festival fun works up an appetite! The great news is Winchester has a ton of dining options, and during The Bloom many local restaurants have specials. Old Town Winchester (on the Loudoun Street Pedestrian Mall) is foodie heaven – you’ll find everything from pubs to pizza to upscale bistros in a four-block area. Some local favorites: Union Jack Pub (British/American fare in a historic bank building), Brewbaker’s (casual grill and bar – usually hopping with festival-goers), El Centro (yummy Mexican), and Violino (a fine-dining Italian spot) for a nice dinner. During the Wine Fest, you can also grab bites from festival food vendors – think gyros, crab cake sandwiches, barbecue, etc. For a quick lunch in between events, try a classic Winchester hot dog stand or pick up a sandwich at Jimmy John’s or Red Fox Creamery (which has great ice cream too). Don’t skip the apple-themed treats: Apple Blossom time means apple everything! Try a slice of hot apple pie or an apple dumpling at a local bakery, or a cup of fresh apple cider. On the Midway and carnival, you’ll also encounter stands selling apple pie funnel cakes and apple fritters. The festival’s official vendor areas (like the Midway) have plenty of classic fair food, so indulge guilt-free – calories don’t count during festival week, right?
If you’re looking for a sit-down meal away from the crowds, you can venture just outside downtown to places like Bonnie Blue (amazing Southern BBQ) or IJ Cann’s (American bistro) – likely less busy. But honestly, part of the fun is the bustling downtown scene. One tip: make reservations for dinner if possible, especially Friday or Saturday night, because restaurants will be packed with festival attendees. Or plan on an off-peak dining time (like 4 PM early dinner or late-night eats). Also, many food trucks will be around – if you see the Fry Truck, get the fresh-cut fries! In short, you won’t go hungry.
Lodging: If you’re coming from out of town, hopefully you booked early – hotels fill up fast for festival week. The festival has official lodging partners and many offer special rates. The George Washington Hotel (A Wyndham Grand) is the iconic choice – it’s a beautifully restored historic hotel right in downtown, so you can walk to everything. It has a grand lobby bar where festival VIPs have been known to hang out, so you might rub elbows with a celeb over breakfast. Other convenient options within a short drive: Hilton Garden Inn Winchester and Tru by Hilton (both on the east side of town, about 5-10 minutes from downtown) thebloom.com. These offer modern comforts like pools, free breakfast, and are family-friendly. A new hotel called Spark by Hilton also opened nearby, aiming to be affordable and comfortable. For budget-minded travelers, there are the usual suspects out by I-81 (Hampton Inn, Best Western, etc.). Wherever you stay, book as early as possible – by early April most places are sold out or charging peak rates. Some folks even opt to stay further out (Martinsburg, WV or Front Royal, VA are about 30 minutes away) if Winchester is full
If hotels are scarce, look into Airbnb or local B&Bs. Winchester and the surrounding countryside have charming bed-and-breakfasts – what better way to enjoy Apple Blossom than staying in a cozy inn on an orchard? Camping/RV is another option; there are campgrounds in the Shenandoah Valley not too far away. Just plan ahead because you won’t be the only one seeking accommodations. And wherever you stay, ask if they offer any festival shuttle or transportation – some hotels might have arrangements
A final tip: Comfortable shoes! You’ll likely be doing a lot of walking and standing (parades, exploring the Midway, etc.). Winchester’s Old Town has brick sidewalks – charming but not high-heel friendly. So pack your comfy sneakers along with your pink and green outfits. Your feet will thank you.
Wondering how to get to Winchester for the festivities? It’s an easy trip from the DC area, making Apple Blossom a popular day-trip or weekend getaway for folks from the capital region
If you’re coming for the Grand Feature Parade on Saturday, leave early! Saturday morning traffic on I-66 westbound can get busy with weekend getaway travelers, and once you hit Winchester, there will be road closures around downtown. Aim to arrive by mid-morning at latest. There are electronic signs and police directing traffic to parking, so follow their guidance. Once parked, you can walk or use the festival’s trolley service (if offered) to get around the different event locations.
Once you’re in Winchester, you’ll find it’s a very drivable small city, but during The Bloom, walking is king. The festival footprint is mostly in Old Town and surrounding areas – park once, then explore on foot if you can. You’ll stumble upon joyful mini-events everywhere: street performers, decorated store windows, even impromptu apple pie eating contests!
In conclusion, the 2025 Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival promises to be a playful, jam-packed celebration of spring. Whether you’re coming for the family fun (carnival rides and candy apples), the food and drink (wine tastings and funnel cakes), the music (live bands and dance parties), or the pageantry (parades and a chance to see your favorite celeb), there truly is “something for everyone” at The Bloom facebook.com. Winchester’s streets will be filled with laughter, the aromas of fair food, and the sounds of happy celebration all around
So come join the party! Wear comfortable shoes, bring your camera, and don’t forget to don some pink and green in spirit of the festival. Stake out a parade spot, raise a toast at the Wine Fest, and wave to Queen Shenandoah and her court. This is small-town Americana at its best – with a dash of Hollywood and whole lot of heart. The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival only comes once a year, and 2025’s is blooming into one of the best yet thebloom.com. Come see why we’re all “Ready to BLOOM for Another Century” (as the local marching band banner said) and make some fantastic springtime memories in Winchester, Virginia. Happy Bloom!
Categories
Food & Drink, Family, Community Highlights, Local Attractions, Local Events, Local Culture, Local Insights, Northern Virginia Attractions, Sports & Community, Virginia Events, Wine & Food