Spring is here and you can already feel the warm weather starting to trickle in. What better way to celebrate the season of blooming colors than with an amazing festival? Apple Blossom Festival in St. Joseph takes place every May and you'll want to make a weekend trip out of it, if you haven't already.
The Apple Blossom Festival and Parade has been held every May for the past 90 years!
It was first created to establish the area as the leading Jonathan apple district of the world. Over time, the festival grew in popularity and locals would flock to downtown each year to see a parade led by pageant queens.
Each year, a theme is determined for the parade.
Local clubs and organizations will decorate a float relevant to the theme.
This float by the St. Joe Figure Skating Club placed third for best float in the 2016 parade. It was a circus theme, "Under The Big Top." This year the theme will be, "Miles of Smiles."
At the parade, you'll see the Apple Blossom Royal Court.
It's pageant season in St. Jospeh and the winners from the pageant contests in April get to ride the Apple Blossom Royalty float. It's a tradition and each year, a new queen is crowned.
After the parade, join in on the festivities in Civic Center Park.
The parade route runs from the staging area on Corby Parkway, south on Ashland, west on Frederick Boulevard, south on 9th Street, and west on Felix to 5th Street.
Hungry? There's also a BBQ cookoff.
During the festival weekend, May 5-6th, the North West Missouri Child Advocacy Center hosts a BBQ cookoff to raise money for the center. The BBQ is so delicious and the cause is so great, that they were chosen as one of the 22 stops on the Great American BBQ Tour.
Have you been to this festival before? It's actually considered the 3rd oldest apple blossom festival in the United States. Mark your calendars, the parade is set for Saturday, May 6th at 9:30 a.m. But don't forget to catch the savory BBQ competition the day before at Civic Center Park staring at 6 p.m. in Civic Center Park.
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