Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® Announces Second Annual Festival-inspired Coloring Book

Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® and the Sherando High School art department have once again partnered up to create the second annual Festival-inspired coloring book. It highlights popular Apple Blossom events, a few new ones, and a special centerfold interactive page celebrating the 100th birthday of the Festival! SHS art teacher, Jillian Legge, shared that “this project has become a fun way for the students to interact with the community and to become more involved in the Festival. The students have been able to express themselves through creating their pages, as well as being involved in the marketing and sponsorship process as well. They have really taken ownership over this project, and it is exciting to see how proud they are of their work. The student artists are going to showcase and sell the coloring book at the Apple Blossom 10K/Bloomin Mile and the Official Souvenir Store VIP Access events. We are so grateful for the support of the Apple Blossom Festival throughout this project and all they do for the local schools.” Last year, the high school art department was able to use the funds that were raised to purchase two new pottery wheels, new light tables, supplies for the kiln, and helped to fund a field trip to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. With the funds raised this year, the art department is hoping to purchase a couple more pottery wheels, some higher quality materials, and hope to fully fund another art-related field trip for the following school year.  Engaging the next generation of festival goers continues to be a priority for the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® and this partnership has opened another door to working with and supporting local students.  This project has proven to be a perfect fit for both organizations.

Involving school participation has been an integral part of the Festival since its inception.  High school bands have marched in our parades, showcasing their musical talents.  Elementary students have sung and performed on stage during the Coronation of Queen Shenandoah. The coloring book project reveals the incredible artistic talents and shows the connections each student has personally had with the Festival.  SHS senior Kelsea Adams shared, “I chose to complete the Firefighter’s Parade page because I have personally performed with Sherando’s color guard in the Firefighter’s and Apple Blossom parade for three years of my high school career. It was fun to be able to combine my love of the performing arts with my love of the visual arts in such a unique way.”

A sophomore at SHS, Kelsie Stogsdill, created the Bloomin Mile page and after asking her about her work, she stated, “I was excited to create the coloring page because I grew up going to the festival activities. I chose to design the Bloomin Mile event since I ran it as a kid. I used a photo of myself running as the reference for this page.”

One of the events new to the Festival last year, the pickleball tournament, was featured by SHS senior, Connor Sanders. “Having completed the design for last year’s 10K Race, I thought it would be fun to join the project again. Highlighting my connection to both the visual arts and athletics, I decided to create the pickleball tournament page. Going into college next year, I am majoring in Marketing and Graphic Design. This fits in nicely with this project as I worked with the layout and contributed to the marketing aspect of selling and distributing the book.”

Twenty-nine Sherando High School artists ranging from freshman to seniors participated in creating the book, showcasing events that were highlighted last year, along with new events, such as the Fiesta Latina, Pumps & Pearls, and the Casino & Cash Party, to name a few. In addition, one of the artists featured an event as a sneak preview that will be added to the Festival next year, the Disc Golf Tournament. Eleven of the artists involved in the book are seniors and when they were asked about contributing to something that they may not personally get to experience the benefits of, they all stated that they were happy to support the department and pass on a better environment for the next generation. They were able to benefit from the new light tables, pottery wheels, and field trip so they felt that they wanted to pay it forward to the students coming after them.

100% of the proceeds from the sale of the coloring books will support the Sherando High School art department.  Books are now on sale at the following locations beginning on Thursday, March 21, 2024: Sherando High School Art Department, Gore’s Fresh Meats & Deli, Richards Fruit Market, Lantz’s Pharmacy and Gifts, Kimberly’s Boutique, and the gift shop at Handley Library (limited hours).  Books will be on sale at the Apple Blossom Souvenir Store in the Apple Blossom Mall beginning April 5th. There will also be a couple of pop-up stores during the Grand Feature Parade on the parade route.

Special thanks to the generous financial support provided by Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®, Lantz’s Pharmacy & Gifts, Stephens City Family Dentistry, and Bank of Clarke.

For more information, visit www.thebloom.com.