Highlights of the 104th Apple Blossom Festival Grand Parade

The 104th Apple Blossom Festival drew thousands to the Wenatchee Valley with their Stemilt Grand Parade Saturday.

Visitors got the chance to see Apple Blossom Royalty, incredibly fantastical floats, and a flurry of community organizations, all coming together to celebrate what the Valley has to offer.

“This is Wenatchee and the parade is the highlight of the year,” local resident Kathy Gut said.

Get our free mobile app

Gut says she enjoys the sight of horses prancing down the street, traditional Mexican dancing, and the classic cars.

This year's Applarian Chancellor Matt Smeller says he is happy with how the parade went.

“I love to see the community come together to celebrate our diversity, our agriculture in this community, and friendships,” Smeller said. “I love just seeing everyone come together and celebrate.”

2023 APPLE BLOSSOM FESTIVAL STEMILT GROWERS GRAND PARADE AWARD WINNERS

FLOATS:   

 GRAND SWEEPSTAKES AWARD 

(The highest float award.  Given to most outstanding float in the parade, regardless of division.)

•  Olympia Capital Lakefair #31

COMMUNITY SWEEPSTAKES AWARD

(Presented to the outstanding float in the Community division.)

• Manson Apple Blossom Festival #100

SPIRIT OF THE FESTIVAL AWARD

(Presented to the outstanding float in the Community/Volunteer Made Division.)

• Moxee Festival #109

STEMILT GROWERS SPONSOR’S CHOICE AWARD

(Given to the Sponsors favorite float, regardless of division.)

• Deer Park #94

ROYALTY CHOICE AWARD        

(Apple Blossom Royalty’s favorite float regardless of division)

• Marysville Strawberry Festival #45

*GOLDEN APPLE AWARD (IN MEMORY OF BEN FRITZ)

(Awarded to a float deserving special recognition.)

• Oroville #38

EQUESTRIAN UNITS: (Cleanliness of Horse & Tack; Riding Apparel; Crowd Appeal; Parade Presence)

Best Royalty Equestrian            Ellensburg Rodeo Queen #50

Best Group Equestrian              Ellensburg Rodeo Posse #51

Judge’s Award                           Miss Spokane Rodeo Queen #41

Most Original Clean-Up Crew     Miss Spokane Rodeo Queen #41

SPECIALTY UNITS:    (Uniqueness; Crowd Appeal; and Costumes)

            1^st Place Specialty             Wenatchee Row & Paddle Club #106

            2^nd Place Specialty            Jensen’s Farms #107

            3rd Place Specialty            Kindness Counts NCW #48

            Most Original Specialty    Parque Padrinos #52

BANDS:    (Appearance; Music Ability; Marching; Audience Appreciation; and Pre-Parade Inspection)

AAAA Division        1st Place        Mariner High School

                                    2^nd Place        South Kitsap High School

AAA Division           1st Place        Kelso High School

AA Division              1^st Place        Othello High School

                                  2^nd Place        Ellensburg High School

A Division                 1st Place        Wahluke High School

                                   2nd Place      Cashmere High School

BB Division              1^st Place        Manson High School

B Division                 1^st Place        Entiat High School

Drum Major              Overall           Wenatchee High School

Sweepstakes           Overall           Kennedy High School

**Wenatchee & Eastmont (except drum major) do not participate in band awards as the hosts

**Sweepstakes winner is best overall band, regardless of division

**1^st & 2^nd places are indicated by division

**Best Drum Major is awarded regardless of division

AUXILLIARY/DRILL TEAMS:    (Precision; Appearance; Originality; and Audience Appreciation)

AAAA Division        1st Place       Kennedy High School

AAA Division           1st Place       Kelso High School

A Division                 1st Place        Sultan High School

B Division                 1st Place       Entiat High School

**Wenatchee & Eastmont do not participate in awards as the hosts