La Crescent Apple Annies are “good will ambassadors” of song representing the city of La Crescent and Apple Festival. Apple Annies provide entertainment for various events in La Crescent and surrounding communities.

Inspired by the St. Paul Winter Carnival Klondike Kates, La Crescent Apple Annie Follies and Contest originated in 1985 by the Apple Fest Board of Directors. Apple Festival Board Directors, Sam and Bev Jiardina, were the coordinators of the first Apple Annie Follies & Contest which was held at the Eagles Club in La Crescent.

The Apple Annie Follies and Contest is a yearly event. The event takes place in August when the new Apple Annie is selected.  This is a two-part event; the Follies is a Vegas-type show performance by Apple Annies from previous years.  The Contest is when the current year contestants perform and are judged.  The Follies and Contest is usually a sold-out event, attended by people from La Crescent and surrounding communities.

An Apple Annie contestant must be 26 years old and be able to sing and entertain. An Apple Annie contestant does not have to be from La Crescent; applicants from surrounding communities are encouraged to participate. Contestants are judged on appearance, song selection, preparation, presentation, and crowd appeal.  Apple Annie contestants are encouraged to wear red.  Props may be used during the song presentation but must receive approval prior to the performance from the Apple Annie director. Contestants draw numbers for the order of their appearance before the audience and judges. Contestants should be prepared to sing three songs. Each contestant will sing two songs for judging purposes. Should there be a tie among contestants, the third song will be the tiebreaker. The final winner is selected by at least five judges.

The selected Apple Annie starts her reign as Apple Annie by performing at various events during the September Apple Festival activities either alone or with other Apple Annies. 

Apple Annies performance requests are scheduled through their coordinator. If the Annies and an accompanist are available, they are booked for the requested event.  There is a charge for the Apple Annies to entertain at requested events. The charge covers their travel, music and accompanist expenses.  There is no charge for appearing in community parades. Apple Annies volunteer their time for all events they participate in.

You can see and hear the Apple Annies at surrounding community parades such as Onalaska, West Salem, Caledonia, Winona, La Crosse, the Apple Annie Follies in August, the Apple Fest Parade, the Refreshment Tent on Sunday of Apple Festival weekend, and more! 

If you would like to be an Apple Annie, please link to the Apple Annie application complete it and send it to the Apple Annie Coordinator, 809 S. 14^th Street, La Crescent MN  55947.  For more information, call 507-895-2188.

Apple Annie Follies and Contest is August 25, 2007 at the American Legion in La Crescent.  Dinner and Follies starts at 6:00 PM.

1985 Joyce Bielke	1994 Lisa Warsinski	2003 Barb Carlson
1986 Delores Mechtel-Burg	1995 Becky Martell-Wilhelm	2004 Liz Aquilar
1987 Sue Bain	1996 Mary Lehrman	2005 Sue La Crosse
1988 Nancy Kohlmeyer	1997 Marlene “Bean”  Boehmke	2006 Linda Manning
1989 Dee Dornack	1998 Jo LaFleur
1990 Mo “Christie” Breuer	1999 Joey Wilde	2008 Linda Bechly
1991 Hazel Desmond	2000 Lynnette Heilman
1992 Louise Keenan	2001 Sue Ramsett-Kretz
1993 Carolyn Nelson	2002 Tami Rae Weiss

Mary Lou Engler - Chairperson
appleannies@applefestusa.com
507-895-2188