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The 2011 grand marshal was Dr. Robert Vartabedian, president of Missouri Western State University. Accompanied by Western cheerleaders and others, he tosses candy to the crowd lining Noyes Boulevard.

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Apple Blossom Queen Blayre Helm (left) is accompanied by her court, Apple Blossom Junior Queen Rylan McClurg (center) and Apple Blossom Princess Gabriella Higgins.

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Apple Blossom attendants ride in style in a horse-drawn carriage driven by Wayne Duncan of Savannah.

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St. Joseph City Councilwoman Donna Jean Boyer waves to spectators as she travels down Frederick Avenue.

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Four generations of the Heider famiy gather to watch the Apple Blossom Parade. Members of the family have watched the parade from the northwest corner of Frederick Avenue and Noyes Boulevard for many years.

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Welcome to the 2012 Apple Blossom Festival website. This site provides current and historical material about St. Joseph's most popular annual parade and pageant.

Our 2012 theme, "Destination: St. Joseph," reflects both historical and current events. For one, St. Joseph was a key jumping-off point for pioneers traveling west along both the Oregon and California trails. For another, it was the eastern terminus of the famed Pony Express. This year, our town is the destination for the Sound of Speed Air Show, International Edition, on May 5 and 6.

We're gearing up for another great Apple Blossom season, beginning March 31 with the Apple Blossom Pageants and wrapping up Apple Blossom weekend with the Apple Blossom Barbecue contest May 4 and 5, the Sound of Speed Air Show May 5 and 6, and — of course, our feature attraction — the Apple Blossom Parade on May 5. That may be Cinco de Mayo, but around here it's Apple Blossom Parade Day!

Click here for information about the Sound of Speed Air Show, International Edition, sponsored by the 139th Airlift Wing, City of St. Joseph, Buchanan County, and St. Joseph Metro Chamber.

For information about the Apple Blossom Barbecue, sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians and now in its sixth successful year, check out our sister website.

Contact us if you are interested in serving on the Apple Blossom Committee or if you have questions not answered on the site. The Apple Blossom phone number is 816.261.0422. Please leave a message. Another option is to email Executive Director Michelle Wolfe or Apple Blossom President Ken Rosenauer at the addresses below.

Click on links at the right for pages covering both the pageants and parade, entry forms for both, and photos and information about previous Apple Blossom festivals.

Otherwise, mark your calendars for the first Saturday in May (May 7, 2011) — that's Apple Blossom Parade Day!

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How do we know the Apple Blossom is the most popular parade?

Well, you picked the Apple Blossom as best parade/festival in 2011 Readers' Choice voting, sponsored by the St. Joseph News-Press.

In fact, the Apple Blossom has been your choice for best parade/festival for the past 13 years. After the first fivc, we won the Platinum Award. Then, three years ago you made us eligible for the program's highest honor, the Diamond Award, given only to those who have won 10 years in a row!

Actually, this is your award. You're the ones who make the parade what it is — St. Joseph's own rite of spring. We just come along for the ride.

The Apple Blossom staff and volunteers are proud to continue to serve you, the citizens of Greater St. Joseph, and to do all we can to keep this St. Joseph's best and your favorite parade.

Suddenlink is the official ISP for the Apple Blossom Parade.