Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival
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The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, a 6 day festival held annually in Winchester, Virginia is known for its many guest celebrities and events. First held in 1924 (although not held in 1941-1945 due to World War II), it features a Grand Feature Parade, Firefighters' Parade, a carnival and midway, luncheons, races, walks, dances, and concerts. Although the city only has a population of about 24,000, festival organizers estimate a total attendance of 250,000 to 300,000. Dan Aykroyd and wife Donna Dixon, a native of Northern Virginia, frequent the parade, and also own a summer house in Winchester, which they visit often. Over the last few years the guests have included Sean Astin, Al Roker, and Willard Scott. Last year Chevy Chase and his daughters appeared. His daughters had been nominated Fire Marshall for the 2004 year.
Other notable celebrity appearances have included: Lucille Ball, Michael Vick, Dick Vitale, Hank Aaron, Whitey Ford, Jerome Bettis, Katie Couric, Joan Rivers, Archie Griffin, Lee Corso, Ben Jones and Robert Urich.
In 2003, Katherine Elizabeth Short, daughter of Tony and Emmy Award winning comic actor Martin Short and Canadian comic actress Nancy Dolman ("Soap"), was chosen to serve as Queen Shenandoah LXXVI. [1]
