Don’t let the lingering winter weather get you down.<\/p>\n
The Bloom is right around the corner.<\/p>\n
The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival announced this year’s Queen Shenandoah XCIX-designate at a Thursday afternoon press conference at Shenandoah University’s Hub for Innovators, Veterans and Entrepreneurs (HIVE).<\/p>\n
Annabelle Park, daughter of Michael and Laurie Park, is set to reign over the springtime event.<\/p>\n
Park, 21, is a filmmaker and creative storyteller inspired by films like “The Wizard of Oz,” “Harry Potter” and “Funny Face.”<\/p>\n
She graduated summa cum laude from Pace University in December with a bachelor’s degree in film and hopes to become a film producer.<\/p>\n
Her father is an actor who rose to fame on CBS’s daytime series “As the World Turns,” where he played Jack Snyder for 13 years. That role earned him two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in 2010 and 2011. He also earned an Emmy and a Grammy for his portrayal of father figure Larry Murphy in the original cast of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical “Dear Evan Hansen.” He also appeared in “Stranger Things,” “Hightown,” “Tales of the City,” “You,” “Mindhunter” and more.<\/p>\n
It was noted Thursday that the Park family has ties to SU, as Michael Park has visited campus over the years.<\/p>\n
Annabelle Park is an avid Broadway and music fan, and has performed at iconic venues like Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Garden.<\/p>\n
She once took the Broadway stage during the Jonas Brothers’ Broadway residency.<\/p>\n
Her passion for the arts went beyond borders when she studied abroad in Tanzania and taught children English through theater.<\/p>\n
She is the youngest of three children. Her mother, Laurie, is a music therapist.<\/p>\n
Her parents will attend the festival and crown their daughter at a coronation ceremony at John Handley High School on Friday, May 1, at 1:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
This year’s Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival kicks off April 24 with the United Bank Bloomin’ Wine Fest and continues through May 3.<\/p>\n