Although the City of Winchester local government does not organize The Bloom events, several City departments are involved in making sure festival activities are permitted and safe.
CITY’S SCHEDULE
Due to Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival activities and road closures, the City of Winchester will operate the following schedule:
- City Administrative Offices – Closed on Friday, April 29. To make a bill payment (personal property taxes, real estate taxes & utility bills), please visit the City's pay online web page, or place payments in the black box outside Rouss City Hall.
- Refuse Collection – Friday’s refuse (April 29) will be collected early. Residents and businesses that normally have their refuse collected on Fridays are asked to put their refuse out Thursday evening or before 5:00 a.m. on Friday.
- Jim Barnett Park Rec Center – Closed Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30
- Joint Judicial Center (courts) – Closed Friday, April 29
- WinTran - Closed Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30. Regular operations will resume on Monday, May 2 at 6:00 a.m.
- Winchester-Frederick County Visitors Center – The Visitors Center located at 1400 S. Pleasant Valley Road will be open every day from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
ROAD CLOSURES
Please see the Festival Parking and Detour document for more detailed information.
| Dates* | Street/Lane | From | To | Time | Reason/Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 28 | E. Southwerk Street E. Whitlock Street |
Kent | S. Loudoun | 9-9:30 am | School event |
| April 28 | S. Loudoun Street S. Kent Street |
E. Southwerk | E. Whitlock | 9-9:30 am | School event |
| April 28-May1 | Piccadilly Street Loudoun Street |
Cameron Fairfax |
Braddock Piccadilly |
noon on 4/28-noon on 5/1 | Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival (Old Town Midway) |
|
April 29 |
Handley Avenue Stewart Street Germain Street Washington Street Piccadilly Street Braddock Street Cork Street |
Cameron Handley Ave Stewart Germain Washington Piccadilly Braddock |
Stewart Germain Washington Piccadilly Braddock Cork Cameron |
5:30-8:30 pm | Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival (Firefighter's Parade) |
| April 29 | Handley Avenue Valley Ave/Braddock St Jefferson Street |
Service Road Handley Ave/Millwood Valley Ave |
Valley/Braddock Jefferson Street Tennyson |
3-5:30 pm | Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival (Kids Bloomin' Mile) |
| April 30 | Braddock Street Fairfax Lane Washington Street Handley Blvd Jefferson Street Valley Avenue Jubal Early Drive |
Valley Braddock Fairfax Braddock JHHS Campus Braddock Valley |
Fairfax Washington Handley Blvd JHHS Campus Valley Bellview Loudoun |
7:30-10:30 am | Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival (10K race) |
|
April 30 |
Handley Blvd Stewart Street Germain Street Washington Street Piccadilly Street Braddock Street Cork Street |
Cameron Handley Blvd Stewart Germain Washington Piccadilly Braddock |
Stewart Germain Washington Piccadilly Braddock Cork Cameron |
1:30-5 pm | Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival (Grand Feature Parade) |
BAG CHECKS/PROHIBITED ITEMS
Safety is a priority during The Bloom and bags will be checked at the entrances into a number of events including (but not limited to):
- Bloomin' Wine Fest
- All tent events
- Queen's Coronation
- Weekend in the Park
The following items are prohibited at the above-mentioned events:
- Backpacks/large bags (14x9)
- Alcohol and illegal drugs
- Weapons/knives of any kind
- Any item that could be used as or construed to be a weapon
- Food, snacks, beverages or coolers
- Animals (except for service)
- Aerosol/spray cans
- Noisemakers
The Winchester Police Department strongly recommends that guests do not bring bags, backpacks, handbags or purses to events unless it is absolutely necessary to do so. Diaper bags that have necessary items for small children are permitted.
MEDICAL AID STATIONS
A Medical Aid Station is located at the end of the Parade route near the McDonald’s restaurant on Gerrard and Cameron Streets (reference map). Other emergency units are located near the parade routes. If you need medical assistance and cannot get to the emergency station or units on your own, dial 911 for emergency service.
TOWED VEHICLES
Parade line-up routes and traffic detours create changes to on-street parking areas close to all of the events. Do not park on streets marked “Closed to Parking”– pay close attention to parking restriction signs or your car will be towed. If your vehicle does get towed, contact the non-emergency assistance line at 540-662-4131 to get its location.
PARKING IN OLD TOWN
With all of the street closings and parking restrictions, the parking garages are the best alternative for you and your family. All downtown garages are an easy walk to the Parades or the Midway. Braddock Street Autopark will be closed during Apple Blossom. Parking can only be paid for by credit card.
Friday, April 29: Garages will be open from 9:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m. Fee is $15.00.
Saturday, April 30: Garages will open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m. Fee is $15.00.
Handicap Parking
Handicapped parking is available at each Apple Blossom sponsored event. We recommend that residents utilize downtown parking garages for the Grand Feature Parade. Handicap parking will be available in all three parking garages.
Handicapped parking for Weekend in the Park will be available in front of the War Memorial Building.
Do not park on streets that are closed to parking.
PETS
Pets are not permitted inside Shenandoah Apple Blossom ticketed events. Pets are also not allowed to enter the Loudoun Street Mall area during Apple Blossom events on Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30. The prohibited area is defined as the area north of Cork Street, south of Fairfax Lane, east of Braddock Street and west of Cameron Street inclusive of the named streets. This is for the pets’ safety as well as the safety of the festival attendees. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
The dates and restrictions are: Noon on Friday, April 29 to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 30. Permitted animals include: (1) service animals, (2) vendors that have obtained written authorization from the Chief of Police, and (3) residents living within the designated area can walk their animals to and from their residence but may be required to show proof of residency while walking their animals through designated areas.
SAFETY TIPS
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
- Information Resource Center - Street closings, detour routes, etc.
- (540) 533-1382 or (540) 533-0234
- April 29-30, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Winchester Police (non-emergency) - Lost children, towed vehicles, etc.
- (540) 662-4131
- (540) 533-1382 or (540) 533-0234
- Downtown parking garages
- (540) 722-7575
- Emergencies only
- 9-1-1