2025 Recipient, Karen Wade

FOR HER LONGSTANDING COMMITMENT AND SERVICE TO THE FESTIVAL

The Washington State Apple Blossom Festival announces Karen Wade as the 2025 Leman Johnson Recipient at the Apple Blossom Auction on Saturday, October 19. Annually the Apple Blossom Festival Board of Directors presents an award in memory of Mr. Leman Johnson to honor his exceptional volunteerism. Created in 1983, this award is the most prestigious award the Apple Blossom Festival presents, and it celebrates the true volunteer spirit.

From 1982-1986 Karen Lisle Wade was the Administrator of the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival. During Karen’s tenure as Administrator she created events that are still a part of the Festival today, 40 years later. The Food Fair, Funnel Cakes, Patron Pins, the Pepsi Cola Youth Day, and the Classy Chassis Parade, in East Wenatchee , and the very award she received, the Lehman Johnson award, was created in her office in 1983.

Her passion for the Festival continued beyond her tenure as Administrator as she co-founded the Junior Royalty program in 1994 and the art print program, served on the youth Parade committee for 25 years and was chairman for 10 from 2000-2009. And for most of the last 35 years has assisted the Top Ten Candidates with their speeches and impromptu questions.

Karen’s community involvement extends far beyond the Festival. She has served on the multiple community boards, driven the Wade Family Literacy Fund, and supported various organizations, including Wenatchee Follies Guild, Community Foundation of North Central Washington, Chelan Rotary Glass Recycling, and Appleachee Riders.

Also following her Festival tenure, Karen partnered with her husband Mike to build many successful business ventures. They owned and operated Frameworks, Partnered in Toy Parade, Collaborated with Mike’s family at Columbia Fruit and are the Owners of Fielding Hills Winery (celebrating 25 years) They have raised three daughters; Robin, Jennie and Megan and have four grandchildren.