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'This is home to us,' Roy says as he Wanda prep for parade grand marshal role

Apple Festival parade grand marshals Roy and Wanda Williams (center) met with Apple Ambassador Heather Wetzel (right) and Apple Ambassador runner-up Rayne English (left) before the festival’s opening ceremony.

By Amy B. McCraw, Associate Editor, Published: August 30, 2024

With thunder rumbling overhead and a shout of “go Tar Heels” from the crowd, legendary UNC basketball coach Roy Williams took the stage Friday afternoon during the opening ceremony of the 78th N.C. Apple Festival.

  Williams thanked festival organizers for naming him and his wife, Wanda, grand marshals of this year’s King Apple Parade.

“We are flattered to be involved,” he said. “We just enjoy this area. This is home to us. We appreciate you adopting us.”
The couple owns a home in Kenmure and both are natives of Western North Carolina. Wanda’s family has deep roots in Henderson County while Roy grew up in Biltmore.
They were joined on the stage set up in front of the county’s Historic Courthouse on Main Street by local and state elected leaders, apple festival organizers, this year’s Apple Ambassador Heather Wetzel and Apple Grower of the Year Cory Justus, among others.
Williams joked that Justus could probably teach him a thing or two about growing apples.
When he and his wife moved to Henderson County in 2012, they planted two apple trees. One died and the other has not produced any apples.
“I may have one of these days an apple tree that works for us,” he said.
Roy and Wanda met briefly with festival leaders and county commissioners David Hill, Bill Lapsley and Michael Edney before the opening ceremony. Lapsley wore an orange Clemson golf shirt as he shook hands with Williams, who was wearing a blue Carolina golf shirt.
In an interview shortly before the ceremony, Roy and Wanda said this year is their first time ever attending an Apple Festival opening or closing.
“We don’t know what we’re doing. But we can follow instructions,” Williams said with a laugh.
Williams said his game plan for serving as parade grand marshal is much the same as what he always told his basketball players.
“Stay loose and be quick on your feet,” he said. “You never know what is going to happen next.”