Evening star., 1950-04-28
Van Johnson
Shares Honors
.AtAppIeFete
Will Be MurshoI
Of Porode Today;
Winners Listed
By Robert c. RolIinss
S,or S,oFF CaTs,poadsn,

NS1$as 49, NSetSS
S,er S.eFF csrrsspe,dsn,
= WINCHESTER, Va, April 1s.-
A Hollywood screen star today
shared the honors OF the Shenan-
doah Apple Blossom Festival with
a dark-haired queen.
Sandy-haired Van johnson was
knighted by Miss Anne Carleton
Hadley who yesterday was crowned
Queen Shenandoah XIII. He
will be grand marshal OF the fea-
ture parade this afternoon.
Winchester is pulled up like 4
toy balloon by an influx Of visitors
as the festival roars TO an end Of
the two-day annual fete.
Miss Hadley is the ls-year old
daughter of st. Louis widow who
was wooed and wed by Vice Presi-
dent Barkley in a courtship that
warmed the Nations heart,
Her charm has made every one
forget that the apple trees-with
only a few exceptions-won't
bloom until at least next week.
Crowned by Barkley.
Miss Hadley was crowned by
her famous stepfather before an
estimated 10000 persons in the
Handley High School bowl.
Mrs. Barkley. sitting in front
row seat with Senator Byrd. Dem
ocrat. of Virginia. smiled pleasant
ly throughout the proceedings.
And she was not alone in the
enjoyment. Everybody from Gov.
Battle, who had escorted the queen
to the place where she was crown
ed. down to the little girl train
bearers and the velvet-suited
crown bearer. joined in the laugh
ter and applause.
After the coronation, Queen
Shenandoah. her court of 38 prin-
cesses. the distinguished guests
and the thousands of other spec
tators witnessed the first showing
of the pageant. In Springtime.
in which 1000 Winchester school
children took part
And the Weep" lived up to his
reputation when he kept on going
after reading the lines of the
coronation rites,
Van Johnson Vows Girls.
Said Mr.. Barkely, after placing
the jeweled crown on the queens
brown locks: According TO the
rules. I solemnize the coronation"
With that. he planted a firm
kiss on the queens lips and, with
obvious relish. he repeated 1t at
least four times for the benefit Of
photographers.
Van johnson vowed the girls at
private party last night and
If these appearances are any in
dication-will get as good a re->
ception along the line of march
of today's parade as did the grand
marshals of the two years past.
Bing Crosby and Bob Hope.
The town was treated to
second consecutive day of good
weather with the sun shining
brightly and soft breeze blow
ing.
Marred BY Storm.
The weather was marred some
what last night, however. by an
electrical storm which hit VIM
chester during the annual fire.
mems torchlight parade. The
cloudburst. though, did not in
terrupt the two-hour procession
and the flashes of lightning only
added to the effect Of the parade.
Hize winners included:
Best appearing pumper. 500
gallons or over-Riverdale Md.
Best class "A" band-Indian
Band of William and Mary, Will
liamsburg. Va; second, Alexan-
dria Fire Department.
Company coming longest dis
tance - Alexandria Fire Depart
ment.
Best appearing group of major
cites - Montgomery Blair. Silver
Spring, Md.
The festival will conclude to-
night with the queens ball at the
armory. with Tommy Tucker and
his orchestra furnishing the music.
Tony Pastors orchestra played for
the dance last night.