Blossom Festival back in bloom
There is a great deal of pent-up festival energy as Nova Scotia heads toward the summer months, and everything is back in bloom for the 2022 Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival.
“We’re feeling the energy and there’s a lot of enthusiasm,” says festival president Logan Morse. “We’ve had a phenomenal response from the community, with new sponsors coming on board.”
This year marks the 88th Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival and it will run from May 25 to 30 with the opening ceremonies kicking off at the Main Street Station Ballroom in Kentville, May 25 at 7 p.m.
It was in 1932 that the Kentville Board of Trade came up with the idea of a festival to showcase the many fine fruit products grown in this region and the inaugural Apple Blossom Festival was held in 1933.
“Lots of things have changed over the years but many things have stayed the same as well,” Morse says. “Many of our signature events, like the Grand Street Parade, have been there from the beginning.”
Because of the late start in planning, the Leadership Competition will not be part of this year’s festivities. There will be plenty of apple-centric events, including Ciders and Sliders, which will be held at the Maritime Express Cider Co. on May 26 from 6 to 8 p.m.
An event like the Apple Blossom Festival would not be possible without the support of the sponsors and the hard work of many volunteers, Morse points out.
“The support from our sponsors makes up the vast majority of our revenue and without that the festival would not happen.”
Upwards of 100 volunteers generously donate their time and energy throughout the festival while the all-volunteer board of directors works throughout the year, Morse points out.
“By September we are planning for next year’s festival,” he says.
Due to uncertainty about COVID restrictions, planning did not get underway in earnest this year until February.
“When the reopening plan was announced, and we knew we would be able to hold an event of this scale, there was a lot of planning crammed into a matter of weeks when normally it would have been months.”
The festival has always been the kick off to the tourism season across Annapolis Valley and beyond, with many operators timing their season openings to coincide with the festival. As such, the event plays a critical role in that important economic sector.
“It’s one of the first major festivals of the year,” Morse says. “We’ll have people from across the province taking part and bus tours from the U.S. will make a special stop to attend some of the events.”
While the beautiful white and pink blossoms bring visitors from far and wide, the festival is also an essential part of the social scene in the Annapolis Valley.
“There are many people that we only see at festival time,” Morse says. “So, everybody is really looking forward to getting out and having some fun.”