62nd Apple Blossom Cotillion

The 62nd Apple Blossom Queen will be crowned on Saturday, May 5 at Riverside Gymnasium in Springfield. “The Apple Blossom Cotillion is both a community tradition and a fundraising event,” says Larry Kraft, Director of Development for Springfield Hospital. Proceeds are used for the Dr. E. Sherburne Lovell Health Career Award and to support local health care services.

Tickets for the Friday, May 4 “Opening Night” performance cost $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Tickets for the Saturday, May 5 “Grand Performance” cost $15 in advance, $18 at the door. Both shows start at 7:30 p.m. and doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at Tina’s Hallmark Store in Springfield Plaza and at Boccaccio’s salons in Springfield and Bellows Falls.

Apple Blossom welcomes its new director, Madison Moreau, to continue the tradition started by the Springfield Hospital Auxiliary, continued by Bob Spindler, and now presented by the Hospital’s Development Office. This year, 13 high school contestants and their escorts will be joined by a record-setting 25 elementary school couples. At the Friday evening performance, there will be a special presentation of the George F. Leland Community Health Award to Dr. Delores Barbeau.

An exhibit of the Cotillion’s past, including portraits of past Apple Blossom Queens and gowns worn in past Cotillions, is on display on the 3rd floor of Springfield Health Center and will run until the week after the Cotillion.