Stemilt Grand Parade brings 100-plus entries, statewide flair to Wenatchee

WENATCHEE — Under clear spring skies and a steady wave of cheers, the 2026 Stemilt Grand Parade rolled through downtown Wenatchee with more than 100 entries celebrating community, tradition and the enduring spirit of the Apple Blossom Festival.

From the moment the 2026 Junior Royalty stepped onto the route carrying the Stemilt Grand Parade banner, the tone was set with pageantry, hometown pride and a deep bench of organizations that continue to shape life across North Central Washington.

Leading the way were first responders and service groups, including the Wenatchee Police Department Volunteer in Police Services unit, the American Legion Color and Honor Guard, and crews from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office and Wenatchee Valley Fire Department. Marching bands quickly followed, filling the avenue with sound, including Eastmont’s Wildcat Marching Band and Wenatchee High School’s Golden Apple Band.

The Apple Blossom Festival theme, “Everything’s Coming Up Blossoms,” carried through the procession in floats, costumes and hand-built displays that leaned into both whimsy and tradition.

This year’s Grand Marshal, longtime broadcaster Jean Enersen, drew a warm reception along the route as spectators waved and called out. Apple Citizen of the Year Del Vanderhoff and Leman Johnson Award recipient Deanna Bollinger were also recognized, each representing decades of contribution to the Wenatchee Valley community.

Royalty from across the region added another layer of ceremony, with appearances from Miss Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo Queen Kaylee Stump, Tonasket Founders Day Rodeo Queen Natalie Brownlee, Chelan County Fair Rodeo Queen Josie Weaver, Miss Omak Stampede Kayden Coffey and Ellensburg Rodeo Queen Sky-Lynne Trevino, among others. Their presence underscored the parade’s reach beyond Wenatchee.

Community organizations and local businesses followed in force. Floats from Stemilt Growers, the Wenatchee Valley Farmers Market, Town Toyota Center and Wenatchee Valley Shuttle highlighted the region’s agricultural roots and evolving economy. Groups like the Wenatchee Valley Misawa Sister City Association, Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington, and the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society brought messages of connection and service.

Cultural performances added movement and color throughout the lineup. SanZar Dance Company and Folklorico Tierra del Sol brought vibrant choreography, while the Charro Association’s “Dancing Horses of Central Washington” drew attention along the route.

Bands remained a constant thread from start to finish, with student musicians traveling from across the state, including Cashmere, Manson and Quincy, as well as groups from Spokane, Sultan and Seattle.

Elected officials, including Wenatchee Mayor Mike Poirier and East Wenatchee Mayor Jerrilea Crawford, joined the procession alongside state legislators, while civic groups and advocacy organizations rounded out the lineup with messages tied to education, public lands and community priorities.

By the time the final entries passed, the sidewalks remained full, a sign that the Grand Parade continues to serve as one of the Apple Blossom Festival’s most anticipated traditions.

For many in attendance, the appeal remains a chance to see the full spectrum of the region in motion, from young musicians and volunteers to longtime community leaders, all sharing the same stretch of street and the same applause.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media