George Real Estate Group Radio Broadcast

The Shepherds: 50 Years of Apple Festival Service

• George Real Estate Group

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Step into the heart of a beloved community tradition as we sit down with Pat and Johnny Shepherd, this year's Grand Marshals of the 79th Annual North Carolina Apple Festival. Their remarkable 50-year journey as volunteers represents the soul of this cherished Henderson County celebration.

The Shepherds share how they were mentored by community leaders back in 1975, cultivating a legacy of service that has spanned generations. Pat, who has coordinated entertainment throughout those five decades, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring the festival to life each year. With over 45 volunteers working backstage, their operation showcases the extraordinary community effort powering this annual event. Johnny, who managed the parade for years before passing the torch to their son Mark, reflects on how festival participation has become a family tradition, now extending to their granddaughter Charlotte.

What makes this festival special goes beyond apples and entertainment. The Shepherds describe the joy of reconnecting with festival-goers who return year after year, placing their lawn chairs in the same spots for beloved traditions like the Buddy K Big Band performance. This year's entertainment lineup also features the dance-worthy Mighty Kicks and a Jimmy Buffett tribute band that will transform Main Street into "Margaritaville." As the festival has grown to attract 200,000-300,000 visitors annually, it remains true to its purpose: celebrating Henderson County's agricultural heritage while creating an atmosphere so welcoming that many visitors eventually make this community their home. Don't miss the opening ceremonies at 10:30 am in front of the historic Henderson County Courthouse, where the closely-guarded secret of this year's Apple Grower of the Year will be revealed. Come experience the warm hospitality that has made this festival a treasured tradition for 79 years!

Speaker 1:

The George Real Estate Group radio broadcast is celebrating 10 years on WHKP. The George Real Estate Group is celebrating 10 years on the radio, live every Thursday morning at 10.05 on WHKP 107.7 FM and AM 1450 and streaming online at WHkpcom. Each Friday morning at 845,. The George Real Estate Group presents the Hometown Hero Award to someone in our community who goes above and beyond to make our hometown a better place to live. Here's this week's Hometown Hero Show. It's 845, and always on Friday morning we do our George Real Estate Group Hometown Hero Show. It's 845, and always on Friday morning we do our George Real Estate Group Hometown Heroes Salute. And Noah George is with us to talk a little real estate first of all, and that's before we get to talking to our, our heroes. This morning, the Grand Marshals of the King Apple Parade, pat and, and johnny shepherd are in the studio with us and we'll chat with them in just a minute.

Speaker 2:

But first, noah, how you doing oh, so much to be thankful for, and it's a privilege and honor to sponsor the hometown hero series here every friday morning on whkp and getting to share the stories of incredible men and women making amazing differences in our community yeah, we'd love, love to find the people, as we like to say, doing some good in the neighborhood around here.

Speaker 1:

So we've been doing this for a long time.

Speaker 2:

A number of years. It's amazing and time flies and talk about doing things for a number of years. It's the 79th Apple Festival 79th annual yeah, incredible.

Speaker 1:

And you are a henderson county native, I know you remember well I wish I could claim that I joke.

Speaker 2:

I got here as quick as I could when I was six years old uh to henderson county, uh, and and I'd love to claim native.

Speaker 2:

But I've been going to the apple festival since I was a young child of yeah as well and uh. Excited to hear charlotte's perspective about going to the apple Festival since I was a young child as well, and excited to hear Charlotte's perspective about going to the Apple Festival this morning. But the Apple Festival certainly is one of the crown jewels of our community and the people come here from all over and people have that experience of our small town and they say I want to live here. And so we hear the story over and over. It's not uncommon. They fall in love with our community, the people, the culture, all the things that make Hendersonville what it is. And again, it is the people that make our community what it is, and so we've had the privilege of helping over 1,600 families throughout the years with their real estate, whether they're moving here or buying, or selling or investing in real estate. It's a privilege and an honor to serve the community through real estate.

Speaker 1:

I know you have sold homes and worked with people who came and visited during the apple festival and fell in love with our place literally, they had the experience of the apple festival or maybe the garden jubilee, and they say this is where I want to call home yeah, yeah so we're very grateful for that.

Speaker 2:

and again, uh, just a quick snapshot on the market in the last 12 months. Our average single family home price is in the 540s. We've actually had more homes sell in the last 12 months than the last 12 months. Our average single-family home price is in the 540s. We've actually had more homes sell in the last 12 months than the previous 12 months, which is, if you can believe it, it's just the market softened a little bit. Days on market's a little bit longer, buyers have a few more choices, a few more homes on the market than last year. But overall I mean, don't listen to the headlines, the sky is not falling. The market's strong Inventory levels are just slightly increased. But again, it's a great time to live here in Henderson County.

Speaker 1:

Absolutely, absolutely, and it's a great weekend to be in Henderson County. Welcome to Pat and Johnny Shepard. How y'all doing. We're great this morning. It's good to have y'all here with us. You've been here before. We had you here a couple of years ago, I think, but gosh, y'all are such a face for the Apple Festival. I remember my first Apple Festival back in the early 90s and y'all were one of the first people that I saw, and every year when I go, it's always a pleasure to see you. And you've been picked as the Grand Marshals of the Festival Parade the King Apple Parade this year. How does that feel?

Speaker 4:

Oh, it's a big honor. I think it's something we didn't have any idea that would happen. And when?

Speaker 1:

Josh the President, josh, Josh English had him here last week, yeah.

Speaker 4:

And he called us and asked us to be grand marshals about six months ago. I said well, are you trying to tell us it's time?

Speaker 3:

to retire, or he says no, why the option I want you to hang around for some more.

Speaker 4:

I said oh okay, thank you, josh well, you're following in some great well, talk about an act to follow.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, roy and wanda williams last year as the Grand Marshals. I mean, how appropriate for you guys to be the Grand Marshals this year. When did your you guys have been involved with Apple Festival for how long now?

Speaker 3:

This is our 50th year. Are you serious? Yes, john and I have been working, volunteering, with the Apple Festival. We've been on the board of directors. We were past presidents, we are past presidents, we I've done the entertainment the entire time. We've done the entertainment. John did the parade for years and years and years until our son, mark, charlotte's dad, took over the parade now, and then our daughter, cher, and our son-in-law Dustin, along with April and Carol Ann at the stage now, are helping get the entertainment put together. But I do have to say, to put on the entertainment at the stage is a huge feat and I have to thank all the Pat School of Dance families that volunteer, all the prop dads that help bring on the bands and take off the bands, and moms and teenagers that come. There's over 45 volunteers behind the stage helping put on the entertainment too Incredible undertaking.

Speaker 3:

So it's not. Yeah, it's a big, big deal.

Speaker 2:

You guys stand on the shoulders of all those amazing volunteers.

Speaker 1:

So we just thank so much for all the volunteers, for sure that help us Well it's an all-volunteer festival every year and, Johnny, you told me before we went on the air that you wrote down some names of people in the past. Oh, I did, yeah, I did, kermit.

Speaker 4:

Edmond from here was very important to the Apple Festival. Ray Cantrell, james Kesterson yeah, all were a part of this and they brought us kids just after we got married in 1975. They brought us along and taught us a whole lot about volunteering and about pride in the community, to be honest with you.

Speaker 1:

That's one of the things that Noah always asks our guests is who was your mentor? Who?

Speaker 2:

influenced you. I mean, these were the influences in your life.

Speaker 4:

Absolutely they were, absolutely they were.

Speaker 3:

Cozy and Jim Marshall, grace Gailyard, lucy Hodge all a big part of it.

Speaker 4:

Ray Cantrell at that time was our mayor.

Speaker 1:

Executive director. Executive director. He was president of the Chamber of Commerce?

Speaker 3:

Yes, and he was the one that invited us to the board. And what year did you start Pat's school? 1971. So I mean 55 years.

Speaker 2:

That's incredible too, I mean. But what a natural extension of your involvement in the community and continuing it through the Apple Festival. I mean it's all connected. Yes, it is very connected Well, how about.

Speaker 1:

well, of course, tonight is the Buddy K Big Band.

Speaker 4:

Yes, Always a hit, and I'll tell you why. We do Buddy K on Friday nights.

Speaker 4:

Friday nights, this is football night big football it's going to be a beautiful night for football, but it's also a beautiful night to listen to big band music, and we do this. They attract a little bit older clientele. We always have them and people bring their lawn chairs. They'll be bringing their lawn chairs at 3 o'clock this afternoon to get ready for a 6, 30, or 7 o'clock performance. The Buddy K big band gets better and better and better every year.

Speaker 1:

I was wondering, wondering do they perform anywhere else but the apple festival now? Or they sure do, I've run into them everywhere.

Speaker 4:

I run into the grove park and they do corporate events, okay, and uh, I bet they do 50. Now I could be wrong and I'll be corrected tonight and I'll let you know r correct on air, but I bet they do 50 to 75 gigs a year.

Speaker 1:

Wow, I remember Bill Shipp was the director of the Buddy K Big Band the first show that we did with them is the Lions Club Follies back in 1974.

Speaker 4:

Wow, and that was when Bill Shipp was the leader of the Buddy Caves.

Speaker 1:

There's like 30 pieces and 30.

Speaker 4:

I think there's probably about that sure enough yeah, sure enough. Some of them have been there. There's two or three of them that have been there a whole long time.

Speaker 1:

Well, bill was telling me I remember talking to Bill about this. You know, you go somewhere and play a $300 gig and they've got to split it 30 ways, you know. So they do it for the love of the music, oh they absolutely do.

Speaker 4:

They absolutely do and they've, like I said, they get better and better each year. I think they sure do. They are constantly changing their playlist or what they play at these events. Uh, we just love having them and they're an institution with you yeah, sandra holt is um in charge of them at this point.

Speaker 1:

She has been, this has been our contact forever there's nothing like seeing the crowd, you know, and the crowd goes crazy and one of the most the best things about the apple festival for john and I.

Speaker 3:

We're behind stage of, but seeing people once a year. These people I don't know, but they come every year. They put their lawn chairs in the same place and we visit. So you're like, oh gosh, I hope I get to see them again. This year.

Speaker 2:

It's a big reunion. Yeah, it is. I mean you see your neighbors, you see your friends and family.

Speaker 3:

I mean like, and then I see people I don't know I mean they come every year and I try to remember their names. But from year to year is hard, but it's so much fun it really is.

Speaker 4:

We're gonna have to start tomorrow night.

Speaker 1:

Now we have the mighty kicks mighty kicks big party band.

Speaker 3:

Come out dancing in the street. They play. Everything is just a big party band and a big hit. Every year we have it's. Bring your lawn chair or get up and dance. It's lots of fun.

Speaker 2:

The kids love dancing. Absolutely, and there's so many performances on the stage throughout the entire weekend, you're also excited about Sunday evening as well.

Speaker 3:

Yes, sunday evening we're bringing in a Jimmy Buffett cover band. Okay, and so wear your best beach shirt, your parrot hat, come on down. We've got palm trees and beach balls and they're called the Party Parrot Band, and so we've been making Main Street into Margaritaville. Yeah, so come on down it should be really lots of fun Sunday night.

Speaker 1:

Do you all ever get to go down the street and enjoy a fried?

Speaker 4:

pie. Yeah, we usually sneak down on Sundayay morning when, uh, things are kind of quiet the calm before the storm. Yes, absolutely, and so we'll wander down and visit old friends. We have several friends that have booths down the street, yeah and uh, and we'll go and visit them and we'll get our fried pies then and our yeah, our apple cakes from the uh creaseman farms that we have to have one every year.

Speaker 1:

There's two great words fried and pie. I mean after you go wrong, you know.

Speaker 2:

There's always the debate between the baked apple pie or the fried apple pie. I mean, those are fighting words, depending on what people prefer so it has had an iteration. I mean 50 years being involved in the Apple Festival and it's evolved to what it is now. And you know some two-plus hundred thousand people, 300,000 people coming in over the weekend but ultimately celebrating our community and our apple growers and our culture and our heritage. I mean what a celebration for our community. And you guys have seen this evolve to where it is today.

Speaker 3:

Oh yes.

Speaker 4:

And we give an Apple Grower of the Year. We'll be giving this morning. That's right and it's a closely kept secret of who it is. We won't blow that here. I can't blow it here, all right. Matter of fact I only learned a day or two ago, because I was putting together the agenda.

Speaker 1:

And you serve as the master of ceremonies.

Speaker 4:

I did. I took over after Dr Jones.

Speaker 1:

George Jones, dr George.

Speaker 3:

Jones yeah, he passed away, he did it for years and years and years.

Speaker 4:

And as George was getting older in years, I would always sit up next to him and kind of nod him Come on, George, it's time to move on here. And he loved it and he appreciated it and one year I wasn't on stage. He said, get up here, get up here. And I said, okay, I'm on my way.

Speaker 2:

The man was great, it was passed.

Speaker 4:

The mantle was passed oh he, he taught me a lot too.

Speaker 2:

He's a mentor incredible for me too, absolutely now, john, can you introduce who you have with us this morning?

Speaker 4:

I'll be happy to. This is Mark and Robin's daughter, charlotte. She's in second grade at Hendersonville Elementary. Our granddaughter and Charlotte oh, that's right, she is our granddaughter.

Speaker 2:

Good morning Charlotte. So are you excited about the Apple Festival Very? Is there any of your favorite memories? And you perform. I understand yes.

Speaker 4:

I don't really have any favorite memories. I really like it all.

Speaker 2:

Do you have a favorite apple treat that you like?

Speaker 1:

No, no favorites, nope, I like them all. I like them all.

Speaker 2:

But your grandparents said you've been coming to the Apple Festival since the day you were born.

Speaker 1:

Your dad was here with us a couple of years ago. Mark was here when he ran the festival and he talked about how it was just a family thing. I mean, it's just part of growing up in the Shepherd House. You've got to be at the Apple Festival, he talked about that very reverently, he really did.

Speaker 4:

Volunteering has always been very strong in our family and continues to be.

Speaker 1:

And so many students and former students of Pat's School of Dance when I first started talking earlier this week about having you here. I've heard from so many of your former students, pat who, our friend Mike Morgan, who's on with us every morning, his daughter and Mike Harris and all my friends. Well, we could just talk forever, but we can't, we've got to run. We want to invite everybody to come see the Shepard family and enjoy the 79th Annual North Carolina Apple Festival. Opening ceremonies are at 1030 this morning in front of the historic Henderson County Courthouse and Johnny will be there opening up the ceremonies and then getting to work on the stage. We've got a little certificate here that we would like to give you and just a little small token of our appreciation this whole town appreciates.

Speaker 1:

As I said, when I first started talking about y'all being our guests this week, everybody said, oh, these people, they're the greatest. We love y'all very much and it's just such a pleasure to see you.

Speaker 3:

We love WHKP too. You've been here a long time too, randy.

Speaker 4:

if I could, say one thing we could not do this without the city of Hendersonville and Henderson County, and our sponsors.

Speaker 1:

Oh, and our sponsors yes, yes, yes, absolutely Advent Health a presenting sponsor this year. Thank you all so much. Noah is our presenting sponsor for the Hometown Hero series. Much. Noaa is our presenting sponsor for the Hometown Hero series and join us every Friday morning here on the George Real Estate Group Hometown Hero. The George Real Estate Group is located in Flat Rock, north Carolina, near Hendersonville in Henderson County. You can find them online at realestatebygregcom. The George Real Estate Group can be reached at 828-393-0134 or stop by their office at 2720 Greenville Highway, flat Rock, north Carolina. Tune in live each week on Thursdays at 10.05 am on WHKP 107.7 FM and 1450 am, or stream online at WHKPcom or download these podcasts wherever you get your podcasts. The George Real Estate Group brings you the WHKP Hometown Hero Series every Friday morning at 845.

Speaker 2:

Maybe the house feels a little too big these days, the stairs a little steeper, the pace of life a little too fast. But what if your next move wasn't about letting go. It was about making space for peace, for freedom, for what matters most? At the George Real Estate Group, we understand that real estate isn't just about the house. It's about transitions, timing and trust. We've helped thousands of families in Western North Carolina make smart, thoughtful moves Closer to nature, closer to family, closer to home. So when you're ready to right size, simplify or start fresh, we'll be here. The George Real Estate Group, local, trusted, proven. Call us today, 828-393-0134. Find us online at realestatebygregcom, because your next chapter deserves to feel just right.