Long-standing Nova Scotia festival opens competition to all gender identities
KENTVILLE, N.S. — A Nova Scotia festival that has crowned a queen for more than 80 years is opening up the competition to people of all genders and gender identities.
The Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival has removed long-standing restrictions and will now accept all male and female candidates as long as they have graduated from high school or an equivalent program and are between 18 and 23 years old.
Alxys Chamberlain, the festival’s vice-president, said Monday that includes transgender candidates.
“To my knowledge, we have not (previously) had a candidate who identifies as transgender,” Chamberlain said.