Apple Blossom Time

Spring is in the air and with it the glorious scent of apple blossoms.  Those fragrant pink and white buds have played a “reigning” role in Waterville events in the 20th century, as did the Farnsworth family who hosted the first Waterville Blossom Festival at the packing house of their farm on May 6, 1933. (Look for more about the Farnsworths in upcoming feature articles.)

Though a rainy day, the Waterville Chamber of Commerce sponsored event featured a parade of automobiles (with the festival queen in the lead car) which was routed out past the Byrum, Utz and Boyer fruit farms then back to the Farnsworth orchards.  There, Miss Theresa Walbolt, daughter of Frederick and Minnie (Eccard) Walbolt, a student at Waterville High School was crowned the first queen of the festival.  She was attended by elementary school girls Merita White and Marilyn Baldwin.  Speeches, music by the Whitehouse Civic Band and Trick’s accordion school, and evening dancing at Graf’s garage rounded out the festivities.