By JIM FARIS
The Apple Blossom Festival announced the Grand Marshall for 2026 Monday.
Reigning Miss Missouri Courtney Rowe is the pick for this year.
Rowe is the anchor for Hometown This Morning on KQ2, as well as a dancer and instructor at Darcee's School of Dance, and a freelance videographer.
Rowe, a Kansas City native and Northwest Missouri State graduate, also serves the public through volunteering at women's shelters, organizing fundraisers, and spearheading the initiative The P.U.R.P.L.E. Project, which sheds a light on domestic violence.
"(Rowe) represents the values that have sustained the Apple Blossom Parade for more than a century". Apple Blossom's Executive Director, Michelle Wolfe, said in a news release.
The parade kicks off at 9:30 AM, May 2nd, running from Frederick & Noyes, to 9th, then to Felix, finishing at Felix & 6th. Entries for the parade are due April 15th, and entry forms can be found HERE.