Apple Blossom planned after 3 years of cancellations
News April 10, 2022
EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – The Gilmer Chamber is accepting vendor applications for the 2022 Annual Apple Blossom Festival. The spring event has seen three cancellations over the last three years for various reasons and is once again on schedule to see its return in 2022.
With the outbreak of COVID-19, the past two years have seen the event cancelled in favor of caution for both attendees and vendors. Last year, the event was also set in motion with plans and vendors on track for May. However, a last minute statement from the chamber said, “Out of an abundance of caution and desire to keep our public safe, the decision has been made to cancel the 2021 Georgia Apple Blossom Festival.”
This statement came after rising case numbers of COVID-19 had many thinking the virus would return as bad or worse as the height of the outbreak that saw cancellations of virtually every major event in 2020, including the same Apple Blossom Festival. As numbers declined again in late summer, the 2021 Apple Festival returned as planned despite the cancellation of the earlier spring festival.
The year before that, the Apple Blossom Festival was cancelled in 2019 due to weather conditions. Chamber representatives said they could not reschedule the event due to many of the vendors already having full schedules and other difficulties.
This year will also represent new Chamber President Jennifer Grimmer’s first Apple Blossom Festival since taking office. Last year’s Apple Festival saw Grimmer leading the Chamber to a record setting first weekend for sales. She operated alongside former President Paige Hutto as a consultant during that festival where the Chamber operated with modifications for distancing between vendors and attendees as much as possible.
Now, with just under a month left until the planned return, Gilmer’s Apple Blossom Festival is scheduled to see its return on Saturday, May 7, 2022, from 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday, May 8, 2022, from 9 am to 4 pm.
Vendors will be setting up on Friday, May 6, 2022, 1 pm to 7 pm. Those still wishing to apply as vendors can do so on the Chamber’s Website.
Chamber cancels Apple Blossom but looks to later festivals with hope
Community, News February 16, 2021
EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – With new President/CEO Jennifer Grimmer guiding the Gilmer Chamber, an official announce came today regarding three major Chamber events in 2021, including the upcoming Apple Blossom Festival.
Through email and social media, the Chamber has officially announced the cancellation of the 2021 Apple Blossom Festival. The festival was cancelled last year in the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak. This year also looks to be the cause as a statement from the Chamber said, “Out of an abundance of caution and desire to keep our public safe, the decision has been made to cancel the 2021 Georgia Apple Blossom Festival.”
The cancellation is already drawing comments from the community in droves with many saying they understand or it is the right decision. Others question the reasoning and compared the event with other businesses and their decisions. According to Grimmer, citizens have been asking about the events this year and their status. Grimmer released a statement today in the Chamber’s email saying, “I am happy to confirm that we are on track for the Apple Festival and Taste of Ellijay! While we are disappointed that the Apple Blossom Festival will not happen in 2021, we are very excited for 2022 and already planning some new features that we believe everyone will enjoy.”
The Apple Blossom Festival’s social media is echoing the sentiment with updates on their efforts on the 2022 Georgia Apple Blossom Festival and saying the have “full intent to make next year’s Apple Blossom Festival the best one yet!”
With encouragement and hope settling in for Taste of Ellijay and the Apple Festival this year, citizens can only wait and watch for updates as the county continues navigating county, state, and federal responses to the virus. As the Chamber and events coordinators speak with vendors and make plans, FYN will update the events’ status as details become available.