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This year will be the 50th anniversary of the Westford Kiwanis Apple Blossom Festival. This festival has a heritage that goes back to 1935. A small group of Westford apple growers gathered together to form the festival in an effort to promote the apple growing heritage of Westford and the surrounding towns.
It became an annual event for the next few years. The governor of Massachusetts attended each of these events and crowned the Apple Blossom Queen. The Apple Blossom Festival was so popular that in 1936 tours of local orchards were provided for visitors and more than 50,000 people passed through Westford on Apple Blossom Sunday.
Unfortunately, this tradition was discontinued prior to the outbreak of World War II. It was not until 1968 that the rebirth of the festival was realized. It was brought back by the efforts of the Westford Kiwanis and has been an annual event ever since. The main activity of the 1968 festival was a fish fry. Hundreds of pounds of fish were served to the public under a tent erected on the Abbot School athletic field. Subsequent Apple Blossom Festivals have become larger and more elaborate.
The 50th Anniversary 2018 Apple Blossom Festival will be held from Wednesday, May 9 to Sunday, May 13.
The main attraction is an old fashioned carnival with many rides and attractions spread along a thrilling midway. Fiesta Shows will again bring their amusements for participants’ enjoyment. As in past events, there is no entry fee and parking is free.
The annual Apple Blossom Parade will be held on Saturday, May 12 starting at 10 a.m. Crowning of the Apple Blossom Queen will take place in the Abbot School gym after the parade is over. This year we have more than 55 entrants in the parade.
In conjunction with Westford Against Substance Abuse (WASA) the Westford Kiwanis announce the first Apple Blossom Craft Fair. The event will be held at Abbott School on Saturday, May 12 from 8 a.m. to 4Â p.m.
This year, for the first time, there will be an Apple Blossom Ball. The Westford Kiwanis have invited the renowned Westford Academy Dance Band to perform on Friday May 11, beginning at 7 p.m. The Dance Band has 33 members and is under the direction of band leader George Arsenault. This is a big band that plays swing, Latin, and popular dance tunes. Admission is $5 per person.
Saturday night, May 12 is the night for fireworks. This year, to commemorate the 50th anniversary, there are plans for a fireworks display that will be the largest ever seen in Westford. Those who have enjoyed the fireworks displays that American Thunder have provided in the past will likely enjoy this display.
Residents are asked to check the Westford Kiwanis website at westford.org/kiwanis for details and times for all these events.
