SEATTLE — The community of Manson, located on Lake Chelan, will be coming together May 10 and 11 for its annual Apple Blossom Festival with a pageant, parade and many other activities.
“The morning always starts off with this really yummy pancake breakfast, and you can go upstairs and look at these quilts that the Undercover Quilter Club makes,” said Isabelle Harris, Manson Apple Blossom queen.
The parade begins at 11 a.m. on May 11 and features the queen and princesses. The festival, organized by volunteers and sponsored by Manson Growers, among others, also includes a fun run, art, a street fair, basketball games and more.
“We’re really fortunate to live in a community where everyone loves to volunteer their time and make our festival successful,” said Natalee Reyna, Manson Apple Blossom princess.
The first Manson Apple Blossom Festival was held in 1921, and the first queen was crowned in 1928. The festival button was added in 1949.
“They didn’t sell all of them that year, so they reused it the next year and just painted over it with nail polish, so that was really cool,” said Liliana Narvaez, Manson Apple Blossom princess.
Each princess and queen gets a crown to keep that is made from apple blossom seashells, painted with nail polish and bedazzled.
“They’re usually created to help capture our theme,” Harris said. “Our theme this year is 'into the wilderness.’”
The queen and princesses all have exciting plans for the future. Harris plans to attend Western Washington University as part of the honors program and study computer science. Narvaez is planning to attend Wenatchee Valley College, transfer to a university and eventually work in the medical field. Reyna earned a full ride scholarship to attend Gonzaga University and will study kinesiology and sports management.
To learn more about the festival and the various activities taking place, visit the Manson Apple Blossom Festival website.
Sponsored by Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce
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