The Washington State Apple Blossom Festival, held in late April, is one of oldest and best festivals in the Pacific Northwest. The Festival is centered in the town of Wenatchee, about 150 miles east of Seattle. The celebration showcases the importance of the Apple Industry to Washington State, along with Wenatchee’s spectacular natural beauty, prosperous economy, and family values. It’s a great getaway for anyone living west of the Cascades.
About Apples
While the actual origin of apples is not known, it is likely the apple tree originated between the Caspian and the Black Seas. Apples were a favorite of the ancient Romans and Greeks. There is archeological evidence that humans have enjoyed apples for at least 750,000 years.
According to records belonging to the Massachusetts Bay Company, apples were grown in New England as early as 1630, brought by European settlers. Traders, missionaries, and Native Americans eventually transported apple seeds further west. John Chapman, also known as Johnny Appleseed, was responsible for extensive apple tree plantings in the Midwest.
Apples in Washington State
Apples found their way to Washington State in 1826 on a Hudson’s Bay Company sailing vessel. The apple industry in our state has grown to national significance. China leads the world in apple production, harvesting a record 38 million tons in 2012, followed by the United States. Washington State produces about 70 percent of the apples in the United States. Other leading states include New York, Pennsylvania, California, and Virginia.
More than 175,000 acres of apple orchards are nestled in the eastern foothills of the picturesque Cascade Mountains of Washington State. The average size of a Washington Apple orchard is about 100 acres, but some cover as many as 5,000 acres and employ 300 or more farm workers year-round. It takes an estimated 35,000 to 45,000 pickers to harvest the apple crop during the peak of harvest.
Washington State growers successfully harvest a wide variety of apples including Red and Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Braeburn, Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, and many, many others.
Wenatchee Apple Blossom Festival happens every spring – DepositPhotos.com
2024 Washington State Apple Blossom Festival
The Washington State Apple Blossom Festival draws over 100,000 visitors from near and far to the 11-day event. The festival features food, entertainment, carnival rides, arts & crafts vendors, a parade, car show, vintage market, and more!
Where: Wenatchee, WA (about 150 miles east of Seattle)
When: April 25 – May 5, 2024
Website: Washington State Apple Blossom Festival
Highlights of the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival
The 10-day festival includes a Grand Parade, Youth Parade, Food Fair, Arts & Crafts Fair, and more. Here are some of this year’s events:
- APR 25 – MAY 5: Memorial Park Food Fair includes entertainment, beer garden, and more.
- APR 26 – MAY 5: Funtastic Shows Carnival
- APR 27: TekniPlex Youth Parade
- MAY 3-4: Classy Chassis Parade and Car Show
- MAY 3-5: Arts and Crafts Fair
- MAY 4: Stemilt Grand Parade
- MAY 4: Annual Apple Blossom Airshow
More info: Festival Calendar — Washington State Apple Blossom Festival
Upcoming street festivals & parades
Listed below are the street festivals and parades on our calendar for the next 60 days.
But wait, there’s more!
- And here’s a list of 101+ always free things to do for fun.
- Find more free and cheap things to do every day: Greater Seattle on the Cheap event calendar.
- Still more ideas for frugal fun: Greater Seattle on the Cheap home page.
Wenatchee, WA
Carole Cancler says
Hi Gary, I know nothing about apple blossoms in Wenatchee, since that’s quite a ways from Seattle as well, almost as far as it is from Spokane (just 20 miles difference). But I’m not sure the Wenatchee festival is as much about blooms as it is about celebrating the apple. However, cherry blossoms in Seattle bloom over a period of 6 weeks or so, because like apple blossoms, there are early season, mid-season, and late season varieties. So in all likelihood, if you go to Apple Blossom in Wenatchee, there will be blooms somewhere in the valley. If you go, report back and let us know.
Gary says
Any idea when blooms will be on? Want to come over from Spokane in our motorhome for a few days.