 February 28, 2024
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
During this year’s 60-day legislative session, I always enjoy seeing individuals and groups from the 12th District who come to Olympia, so it was a special treat for me to meet with the 2024 Apple Blossom Royal Court during their visit to the Capitol on Tuesday.
This year’s Royal Court includes Queen Ella Stimmel, Princess Jenissa Hepton, and Princess Lexie Fennell. These ladies did an outstanding job representing the Wenatchee Valley during their visit to the State Capitol. Their friendliness, pose, and professionalism were very impressive. Many thanks to everyone in the Wenatchee Valley who helped make our annual festival a big success every year.
Apple Blossom Royalty visit Olympia
 I was honored to be visited Tuesday by our Apple Blossom royalty. This year’s Royal Court (from left to right) Princess Lexie Fennell, Queen Ella Stimmel, and Princess Jenissa Hepton. These ladies were so fun, friendly, and well-spoken. They did an awesome job representing the Wenatchee Valley. This year’s festival will take place April 25 – May 5.
State Capitol among the royalty’s first trips
One of the February highlights for my wife and me is attending the Apple Blossom Royalty Selection Night. Coming home to experience this first Apple Blossom event is not only a fun break from my busy legislative session but also a great way to support the festival, connect with friends, and get to know the royalty a bit before they are even crowned. This year’s event was held at the Numerica PAC for the first time. All ten ladies of the Apple Blossom Top 10 did a fabulous job. It was one of the most competitive pageants I have ever attended.
I always enjoy “Apple Blossom Day” at the Capitol because of the opportunity to meet our festival ambassadors and help promote the Wenatchee Valley. The queen and princesses continued their Capitol visit tradition by meeting our 12th District Representatives Mike Steele and Keith Goehner and sharing the festival joy throughout the State Capitol. I had the opportunity to introduce our Apple Blossom ambassadors to several of my legislative colleagues from other regions.
The Apple Blossom Festival is one of the most recognizable celebrations in Washington state. Many of my legislative colleagues immediately think of apple blossom when they see the royal court walking around the Capitol. With the legislative session scheduled to end on March 7, I look forward to being home to enjoy our 105th annual Apple Blossom Festival with my family. The festivities begin April 25 and ends May 5.
 It is always an honor to interview the Royal Court and provide them a tour. They met several legislators and distributed lots of Applets & Cotlets! They also visited Representatives Keith Goehner and Mike Steele while at the Capitol.
Watch my royalty interview and their song!
Part of my tradition each year involves an interview with the Apple Blossom Royalty and their debut of the annual Apple Blossom Song! This year’s interview took place in the State Reception Room near the Capitol Rotunda, which is inside the Capitol dome. In the interview, we get to hear about the upcoming festival and discuss fun food fare treats. For the Apple Blossom song, it is set to the festival’s theme of “We’re all in this together.” That seems especially true for the Wenatchee Valley and efforts at the State Capitol.
 Apple Blossom Queen Ella Stimmel and Princesses Lexie Fennel and Princess Jenissa Hepton take in the surroundings at the State Reception Room prior to recording our video interview.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve
As your new State Senator, please know that your feedback is also especially important to me. If you have thoughts or feedback to share with me, please get in touch with me anytime at senatorbradhawkins.org. If you need immediate assistance, please call our Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000. Please follow me on Facebook @SenatorBradHawkins for my latest updates.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your state senator.
Sincerely,
 Brad Hawkins
State Senator Brad Hawkins
12th Legislative District
Website: senatorbradhawkins.org
P.O. Box 40412 | Olympia, WA 98504-0412
(360) 786-7622 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000
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