2024 RECIPIENT, DARYL FERGUSON

FOR HIS LONGSTANDING COMMITMENT AND SERVICE TO THE FESTIVAL

Daryl grew up in Twisp where his father Ralph served as the mayor for many years modeling volunteerism and small-town pride. He instilled in Daryl a lifelong passion for community service. In his teen years Daryl was a volunteer firefighter and to this day has a visible scar on his arm from trying to be the first one out the door to drive the fire truck. When Daryl was a young adult, he moved to Pateros to start his career in Insurance. While in Pateros he quickly and wholeheartedly planned and oversaw the town's Founders Day events. He procured vendors, set up booths, arranged the events, and did all he could to ensure "fun was had by all". His first son Jason was born in Brewster and you would often see the little blonde boy running alongside his Dad or riding on a float, truck or tractor in the parade.

Daryl then moved to Chelan and split his time between Wenatchee, and the Lake Life. His children Preston and Lauren were born in Wenatchee and began attending Apple Blossom parades as infants. Daryl knew this was his next opportunity to serve his community and became an active member of the Apple Blossom family. Daryl joined the Apple Blossom Board in 1995 and chaired the Jewelry, Clothing, and the Pre-Parade Show. While volunteering for the Pre-Parade Show, Grand Parade Chairman Greg Eastman invited Daryl to assist him. Daryl “helped out” with the Parade every year until he became the official Chair in 2005. Daryl is one of Apple Blossom Festival’s longest running Chairpeople and 2024 will mark his 20th year.

Daryl lived for parade day! He would be out the door at the crack of dawn, driving the white Corvette to Safeway for early morning donuts for the parade crew. One year he was pulled over by a Wenatchee Police Officer and questioned about his intentions at this time in the morning. "It's parade day" was all he needed to say to be released to get to the parade one time. Daryl loved his time in his red jacket with everyone's beloved Roger Pollock, he made sure his family was always front and center when the cannon went off beaming with joy and pride. Daryl, along with his wife Mona was the 2013 Director General and that year he still organized the parade before jumping in his car to ride down the route.

Daryl’s expertise with Parades is well known throughout the state as he has helped out with the Manson Apple Blossom Parade for the past 9 years and the Spokane Lilac Festival Parade for the for 2 years. Daryl’s children rode in every youth parade on bikes, wagons, floats, cars, and trucks! Apple Blossom has always been a core component of the Ferguson Family, there was never a doubt that his daughter Lauren would embrace her Dad's love of the festival and was crowned as a Junior Royalty Princess and later as a Princess in the 2010 Apple Blossom Court