Haley Caroline Marshall Shares What The Apple Festival Means To Her

You can hear it in Haley Caroline Marshall’s voice: this isn’t just a title, it’s a responsibility she’s proud to carry. Haley joins us on WHKP as our Hometown Hero after being named the 2026 North Carolina Apple Festival Apple Ambassador for the 80th Apple Festival, and her story is a powerful reminder that confidence is often something you build, not something you’re born with. She takes us through the moment she got the call, the nerves that came with it, and the excitement of realizing she’d get to represent Henderson County on a bigger stage. We dig into what an Apple Ambassador actually does, from spending the festival weekend connecting with local growers to welcoming visitors who may be experiencing Hendersonville for the first time. Haley also lays out the full application process: spring applications, academics and an essay, then a speech and interview. If public speaking makes your stomach drop, you’ll relate to her honesty about a shaky voice and real fear, and you’ll love what happens when she pushes through anyway. Then we zoom out to the bigger meaning of the North Carolina Apple Festival, the apple industry’s impact in our area, and why community traditions matter. Haley shares how the parade and Main Street crowds helped her feel supported, plus a few fun favorites like apple cider donuts. We also talk about what’s new for the 80th year, including expanded space for vendors, more local business and nonprofit visibility, and her upcoming representation at the North Carolina State Fair. Before we wrap, we offer a quick real estate market update for Western North Carolina, because life happens and real estate happens. If you enjoyed this hometown story, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave us a review so more people can find the show. What’s your favorite Apple Festival tradition?