Festival a success, no matter the weather

The 76th Apple Blossom Festival was another success, as expected. The theme, "Our Future Blossoms," however interpreted, was pertinent as the 75th anniversary of the Children's Parade solidified that component's place as one of the Festival's more popular events.

Each year, the Festival manages to recreate and reinvent itself while remaining a main tradition in our collective Valley community. As Festival president Cathy Briggs has pointed out, the Apple Blossom Festival is part of Valley tradition and is as much a sign of spring to most of us as the blossoms.

And, she noted, the "Blossom" season is actually 12 months a year since it takes that long to prepare the upcoming event.

Past president Sally Swanburg Wallace noted the event is fun and shows Annapolis Valley pride.

Children's parade director Greg White, who had participated in the event as a youngster, said that the milestone 75th anniversary is an opportunity to expand, and that’s significant since it is already one of the largest and longest running children's parades in the country.

Once again, the princess pageant served the Valley community and participants well, providing a venue for young women to engage in events and pursue personal development at the same time.

Festival components of the pageant include the respective princess teas, the coronation, the Queen's Scholarship Ball, and various community tours.

Queen Annapolisa LXXVI, Amanda Dawn Walker of Digby, began her reign at the Friday evening coronation in Wolfville. Princess Windsor Kelly Erin Grandy is First Lady-in-Waiting, with Princess Berwick Jessica Danielle McCulloch Second Lady-in-Waiting. We congratulate those young women and the other pageant participants as they begin their respective responsibilities for the next 12 months.

Queen Annapolisa LXXV Kathryn Cleveland of Berwick said the best part was visiting the various communities along the Valley while they enjoyed their individual events and festivals. Indeed, such opportunities define the character of our Valley region and enhance its attraction.

From the beginning of the annual art show to the Duck Race, the Festival offers agricultural tradition, fine and performing arts, food, auto shows, the fireworks, fun days, and a wide range of concert entertainment. From beer garden and carnivals to the Queen's Ball, the Festival offers something for everyone.

This year saw a new event, the Can-Am Equine Musical Extravaganza Show at the historic Exhibition Grounds in Windsor. It was hugely popular and added a unique dimension of fun and excitement to an already outstanding Festival itinerary.

Festival organizers and the hundreds of volunteers associated with this annual event deserve our thanks and respect. Their contribution is massive and impressive.

Even if an event fails to draw the anticipated numbers or doesn't realize the expected revenues, it’s not a loss. The drills were conducted, practice gained, and word will get around for the next time. From this point in each Festival, it's always about the next time.

And the rain? It's part of life here in the Valley and an aspect of our agricultural foundation. Of course, sunshine’s better, but the spirit of the Festival shines through in any case, grey skies or not, and that’s what makes it great.