Sebastopol's celebration of apples dates back to 1910, when the first great Apple Shows capped the annual harvest with all the excitement of a state fair. The shows were first sponsored by the American Legion and brought renown to the agricultural area from which a few thousand freight-car-loads of apples were shipped annually. Eventually, the Sebastopol Area Chamber of Commerce took over sponsorship of the event.

In 1947, George E. Keefe, Jr. originated the idea of the Sebastopol Apple Blossom Festival. This spring-time event has run almost continuously since then, and became the Chamber's biggest community promotion project. Apple Blossom Queens were originally grade-school girls. Later, the honor went to the high-school girl who pre-sold the most festival tickets.

By 1965, the Sebastopol Apple Blossom Tour was listed as one of the U.S.'s top 20 events for the month of April, according to ratings from the National Association of Travel Organizations.

Today, the festival's tradition lives on despite the fact that apples are no longer Sebastopol's largest industry. Residents continue to celebrate the heritage that gave rise to this beautiful and unique community in Western Sonoma County.