PAYETTE — Following a long cold spell in the Western Treasure Valley, the organizers of the annual Payette Apple Blossom Festival are taking inspiration from warmer climates for this year’s
PAYETTE — As summer fast approaches, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Treasure Valley got some big help from the local community. The help came in the form of
PAYETTE
Like most other large gatherings worldwide, the proverbial COVID-19 ax fell on the Payette Apple Blossom Festival in 2020. But with case counts remaining low in Idaho, the Apple Blossom Committee pushed forward with its plans for the 2021 festival.
As the festival turns 98 years old, the Apple Blossom committee â comprising President Twana Morin, Linda Williams, vendor coordinator Jody Henderson and secretary Markita Williams â anticipates a busy year for the festival. Made up of numerous individual events that started May 6, the primary attractions begin Thursday and go through Sunday.
Linda and Markita Williams shared about what to expect in an interview with the newspaper on April 19. They anticipate an estimated crowd of 5,000-8,000 people over the course of the festival weekend.
PAYETTE
Following a shutdown in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Payette Apple Blossom Festival returns for its 98th anniversary in 2021. But how did the festival get planted in Payette? What has helped it take root? The Independent-Enterprise dug deep into its archives to share with you how this traditionâs seeds were sown and share examples of what has kept it growing to where it is today.
Sowing the seeds
The first Apple Blossom Festival was organized by the ladies of the Payette Portia Club and held on May 1, 1923. The editor of the Payette Enterprise at the time was quoted in the May 3, 1923 edition as saying âthe Apple Blossom Festival ⦠was the most complete success of any event in the history of the city.â