Curt Ulrich, Director General

Curt grew up in Yakima but has lived in Wenatchee with his wife Cindy for over thirty years.  They raised their two children in the valley and have great memories of attending and participating in Apple Blossom events as a family.  Curt began volunteering with the festival in 2008 by Co-Chairing the Apple Pie Eating Contest.  Curt has also served on the Apple Blossom Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and is a Starter for the Grand Parade.

Kathy Campbell, Assistant Director General

Kathy’s involvement with Apple Blossom dates back to the 60’s marching in the Youth Parade with her Elementary & Jr. High School drill teams. She also marched in the Grand Parades in the 70’s with the WHS Apple-Ettes and riding the float as a Top Ten candidate. Kathy has judged the Jr. Royalty essays several times, was a Jr. Royalty Chaperone for three years, and chaperoned the 2022 Apple Blossom Royalty. She is on the Apple Blossom Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and just completed 6 years of service on the NPAC board and was recently elected as an Emeritus to the NPAC. She is a retired elementary teacher of 38 years from the Wenatchee School District and with her husband Bruce, have 2 grown children and 7 grandchildren. When she isn’t playing with her grandkids, she is gardening, golfing, walking with her walking buddies or watching Hallmark movies with Bruce.

Mary Ann Castro, Program Director

For as long as she can remember, Mary Ann looked forward to Apple Blossom time in the valley. She worked in her mother’s small family business, Anna’s Creations Bridal Boutique & Tuxedos, and learned first-hand of her mother’s love of community. In 2009 Anna’s Boutique started providing the formal gowns worn by the royalty.   Mary Ann then learned about the Wenatchee Applarians from Pat & Rolfe Ogle and since then, becoming a member of the Wenatchee Applarians has been an exciting and fulfilling experience for her. Mary Ann was the 2024 Applarian Chancellor and is the first Mexican American Woman to hold this title.   Mary Ann was born and raised in the Wenatchee Valley. She graduated from Wenatchee High School, Class of 1999. Mary Ann became a Licensed Cosmetologist in September of 2001, then returned to Wenatchee Valley College and graduated in the spring of 2018 with her AA and a certificate in Business and Accounting. Mary Ann works at St. Joseph Catholic School. When she isn’t working, she is coaching girls soccer, volunteering at her church, spending time with her family and helping her loved ones. Mary Ann and her husband Nacho have two daughter Annaleah and Arabella.

Siobhan Fryhover

After two years of chaperoning, a daughter in Top Ten, two sisters in past royalty and many years of going to parades and pageants – Siobhan thought being involved with the Festival as a Royalty Chaperone in 2017 & 2018, on the Board of Directors and Executive Board and as the 2023 Director General was a great way to give back to the community and stay involved. Siobhan was raised in Wenatchee, a University of Washington graduate, relocated to Wenatchee to marry her Junior High Sweetheart Todd and has 2 wonderful children, Reid and Claire, two grandchildren and of course, her darling furry child, Theo. Siobhan retired from Confluence Health with 29 plus years of working in Human Resources. Family, friends, biking, golfing, and walking are a few of the things she loves to do along with helping others. Siobhan’s family and are a big part of her life as well as her large extended family.

Gavin Gahringer

Gavin was born and raised in the Wenatchee Valley. He attended college at Eastern Washington University and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing. Gavin is now working at Martin Morris Insurance Agency focusing on employee benefits and life insurance. When he isn’t working, he is golfing or spending time with his family. Gavin was an MC for the 2018 and 2019 Apple Blossom Pageant, and works with the Parade Marshal for both the Youth and Grand Parades, and also volunteers in the Beer Garden and anything that has to do with Memorial Park.  Gavin and his wife Bailee have one daughter Penny, and a son due in January 2025.

Christine Jahr

PAGEANT DIRECTOR
Christine Jahr grew up in the Wenatchee Valley and was a Top Ten Candidate in 2012. She works as a Content Strategist and Marketing Manager. In her spare time, she likes to hang out with her husband J.J. and their two dogs, Beans and Bruno. She is a board member for the Apple Blossom Festival and the Central Washington Lions Club. During the Top 10 Candidate process, Christine volunteers her time doing seasonal color analysis for the 10 Candidates and helps them find their perfect colors! 

Rebecca Maloney

ART 4 KIDZ
In the brilliance of Pablo Picasso's wisdom, he stated that "Every child is an artist."  As the Art4Kidz chair, Rebecca wholeheartedly believes this to be true, and enjoys the light and joy each child contributes through their annual festival entries.  The unbelievable talent pool in our valley is showcased each spring through our online art show.  Rebecca has called Wenatchee home since 1981, and, she, along with her husband, Greg, and four children, feel thankful to be part of such a loving, caring community.

Susan Mullen

CHIEF FOR A DAY
Susan was raised in the Wenatchee Valley and works at the Washington State Patrol. She has been a part of the Chief for a Day committee for almost 20 years. Together with Apple Blossom they were able to get this program established under the Apple Blossom umbrella. This is where she found herself getting connected to this remarkable community event. Susan is married to David Mullen and they have been married for 31 years and have three wonderful children and 4 grandchildren. Susan also volunteered on the Mission Ridge Ski Patrol for 27 years and has been a part of the Sundowners at Three Lakes for the last 10 years. Her hobbies are skiing, golfing, and kayaking!

Shayne Rennie

YOUTH PARADE
Shayne was born and raised in the Wenatchee Valley.  She has a strong commitment to the community and enjoys volunteering.  Shayne began volunteering for the festival over 22 years ago when she began her teaching career with the Wenatchee School District.  Shayne is currently the Special Education Assistant Director for WSD.  She was the Art for Kidz chair for several years and a part of the Auction Committee.  Shayne has volunteered for the festival in many capacities and loves the community relationships and energy that it brings. One of her favorite events of Apple Blossom is the Youth Parade, she has fond memories of attending the parade with her family and participating as a Girl Scout.  Volunteering for the festival has become a family affair; her husband and children no longer tag along but join right in helping with all things Apple Blossom. 

Shayne and her husband Dave (an Apple Scientist at heart) have two spunky but sweet daughters.  The Rennie family cherishes the memories they are making through Apple Blossom.

Elliott Salmon

Having grown up in the Wenatchee Valley, Elliott has enjoyed watching the festival blossom into the heritage event we know and love today. He has spent two decades working in regional broadcasting, where he had the opportunity to work with various local organizations and community leaders.  With agriculture being the economic engine of our region, Elliott is now proud to be a part of the produce industry as a fruit and produce broker for SC Fresh of Wenatchee. 

With fond memories of past Apple Blossoms and its traditions, he now enjoys the festival’s carnival-like atmosphere that permeates our community each spring with his wife and two young girls.  As a board member, he looks forward to helping shape the festival's future without losing sight of its core traditions.

Megan Sand

Megan was an Apple Blossom Top 10 Candidate in 2016 and received the “Most Photogenic”, and “Most Original Speech” scholarships. Megan graduated from the University of Washington in 2020 with a B.A. in Business Communications and in Dance -GO DAWGS! She is now pursuing a career in Education, and is working on her Master’s Degree in Elementary education, while also working for the Wenatchee School District. Megan is the proud daughter of 2022 Applarian Chancellor Brian Sand & Lady Diane, and also sisters with 2017 Apple Blossom Queen Amy Sand. She is the youngest member  of the Wenatchee Applarians, will be Assistant Chair for this year’s royalty float design, and just adores serving her Valley and community!

Greg Wood

Greg, a dedicated member of the Wenatchee Valley community, embodies the spirit of volunteerism that is central to the Apple Blossom Festival. Having grown up in a family of Apple Blossom volunteers, he and his wife, Ceci, continue this cherished tradition by generously giving their time and energy to the festival.  Ceci was a 2023 and 2024 Royalty Chaperone.

Greg has a wealth of experience, having served on the Apple Blossom Board of Directors and actively participating with the Wenatchee Applarians, as well as assisting with the decoration of the Royalty Float and chauffeuring the Royal Float to many out of town festivals. His most recent role as a Parade Marshall on Grand Parade Day highlights his passion for engaging with the community, as he greets parade-goers along Wenatchee Avenue and answers their questions.

His true joy, however, lies at Memorial Park during the festival, where he serves as the Food Service Manager for Weinstein Beverage Company/Pepsi Cola, "The Official Beverage of the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival." Greg takes pride in ensuring that food vendors have a steady supply of refreshing ice-cold Pepsi, adding to the enjoyable experience of festival attendees. He appreciates being at the park, calling it "the center of the festival" due to its vibrant atmosphere, delightful music, delectable food, and the joyous smiles from visitors. It's a place where he reconnects with friends and neighbors, making it an essential part of his social life.

Outside of the festival, Greg and Ceci, married for 33 years, have raised three wonderful children and are delighted grandparents to three grandchildren. Their family also includes a couple of energetic dogs. Greg enjoys a variety of activities, including camping, golfing, barbecuing, and cheering for the Seattle Mariners and Seahawks, as well as supporting his grandkids in their sporting events.

Enjoy the 105th Festival and see you at the park.