‘Share your passion’
New inclusive competition announced for Annapolis Valley youth
Stacey Vries and Vanessa Thurston know youth throughout the Annapolis Valley do amazing things.
But sometimes it’s only family and friends who know what these youth are passionate about. The duo hope to change that by helping spread the uplifting message to more people this spring.
They are the co-directors of the Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival’s new Passions that Bloom youth competition.
“This opens up that circle to let all these other people (know and say), ‘Holy cow, look at what some of these kids are excited about,’” Vries said. “And maybe other kids can be inspired.”
The Passion that Blooms competition replaces the former youth leadership contest that led to the crowning of Queen Annapolisa. The festival’s board of directors decided to re-imagine the youth contest in 2023, going with a Youth Leadership Spotlight as it worked on a new format for 2024.
“Times change, people change," Thurston said. "And with that we were looking for new ways to engage the youth to become part of something.
“The values that were at the core of the leadership competition … those key values are still there. The only thing is we’re minus a gown and a crown. Just because that component is gone it doesn’t mean that the values are gone too.
“We know the things that were important to people, and those things will be here if you take the time to take a look at what we’re offering.”
The 90th edition of the Apple Blossom Festival takes place May 29 to June 3.
Vries and Thurston are trying to get the word out to Annapolis Valley youth between the ages of 15 and 21 to apply by April 26. They hope to narrow the field to 15, and those youth will take part in events during festival week, providing an opportunity to create new friendships, instill confidence, foster creativity and gain many practical work-related skills.
“The whole idea is just to keep the barriers to an absolute minimum, so that there’s little to nothing that could stop you from joining this," Vries said. " And all you have to do is share your passion.”
With a blank canvas to reimagine the competition, the duo wanted an inclusive event without restrictions.
“Explain to us, as best as you can, what you’re passionate about," Vries said. "It’s kind of wide open. We’re excited to see how many different types of things are going to come in.”
A phrase sticks with Thurston as she thinks about the new event.
“We want them to come as they are,” she said. “All we want you to do is show up and tell us what you’re passionate about.”
Vries, the mother of four teenagers, said not all events fit all youth, but they wanted to ensure they could be as inclusive to everyone with the new offering.
“I wanted something that was open to everyone,” she said.
Vries and Thurston look forward to the first year and watching the new competition grow as the years progress.