INWOOD, W.Va. — For the first time in a decade, the Musselman High School Marching Applemen will be returning to the grand feature parade for the 87th Annual Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, Va. this weekend.
“I think they’re (the students) a little bit nervous because we haven’t been in there a long time. It’s not familiar territory for us because took some time off, but we’re really excited to be back into it,” said Mike Knepper, Musselman’s band director.
In recent years, he said the Applemen have skipped the Apple Blossom Festival because it’s scheduled at a busy time that usually includes college testing, prom and other school activities.
“It did conflict a little bit,” said Knepper. “We took a little break from it, but I’m really glad we’re back in it.”
The Marching Applemen band is highly decorated, having won multiple state and chapter championships. The band will be competing during Saturday’s parade with the theme song from “The A-Team.” “We’ve been practicing a lot for the parade,” said Knepper of his band which has more than 80 members.
The parade begins at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Old Town Winchester. A live online feed of the parade will be available at that time here.