Every spring, as blossoms begin to color the trees and the streets of downtown Sebastopol fill with families, music, and celebration, the Apple Blossom Festival returns as a tradition that tells the story of a town, its roots, and the generations who shaped it.
Now celebrating its 80th anniversary, the Sebastopol Apple Blossom Festival marks a milestone honoring both the region’s agricultural heritage and the community spirit that has sustained it for decades. This year’s theme, “Blossoms of Oz,” adds what Myriah Volk, Executive Director of the Sebastopol Area Chamber of Commerce, describes as “a whimsical layer of imagination,” building on the 2024 “Blossoms in Wonderland” theme inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Volk said the evolving themes help younger generations connect with the festival while allowing children’s creativity and imagination to take center stage.
Sebastopol’s apple celebration tradition dates back to 1910, when annual Apple Shows marked the harvest season and established the region’s agricultural reputation. Sponsored first by the American Legion and later by the Sebastopol Area Chamber of Commerce, the tradition evolved into the Apple Blossom Festival in 1947, created by George E. Keefe Jr. What began as a tribute to orchards and farming families grew into a widely recognized spring celebration by 1965 and remains one of the community’s most enduring traditions. Now in her fourth year organizing the festival, Volk said preserving that spirit while keeping it vibrant for future generations takes months of planning, partnerships, and a dedicated team of volunteers…