News

Festival honors Olive, fan of the apple

Olive Vasquez will pick apples and ride in the Apple Festival parade.

By Bill Moss, Published: August 31, 2018

Olive Vasquez, the 6-year-old girl from Jacksonville, Florida, whose dream is to pick an apple from a tree, was honored on opening day of the North Carolina Apple Festival with a proclamation and an honorary degree in "Apple Studies" from Wingate University.

Looking overwhelmed at the attention, Olive stood on stage with her dad and recevied the recognition. Hendersonville Mayor Barbara Volk read the proclamation. Kurt Wargo, dean of the Wingate's Hendersonville campus, presented the honorary degree and a gift, a frilly dress.

Diagnosed with a rare type of kidney cancer, Olive has been undergoing difficult medical treatment. Her physicians got in touch with Dreams Come Tree organization in Jacksonville, which learned about her desire to pick a fresh apple. When Apple Festival leaders heard about her trip, they decided to honor her with the opening ceremony awards and a float in the King Apple Parade on Monday.

Officials thanked everyone who made the festival possible, from farmers who grow apples we celebrate this weekend to the crews who set up, break down and clean up.

N.C. Apple Festival President Cheryl Gudger-Thompson thanked the volunteers and the sponsors. Apple Ambassador Alivia Nix praised apple farmers and the work they do year-round.

Apple Festival board member Larry Phillips announced first, second and third place winners of the apple display winners:

• Retail: Goldsmith by Rudy, Moonshine and Magnolias and Dancing Bear Toys.
• Banks: First Citizens Bank, Wells Fargo and Carolina Alliance.
• Nonprofits: Amazing Grace Ministry, Four Seasons Hospice.
• Restaurants: Piggy's &  Harry's, 3-Chopt.

Judge's Choice winner was First Citizens Bank in the 500 block of North Main, which had the most points.