The Town of Kentville will host the Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival parade after all.

In a joint news release from the town and the festival organizers, festival vice-president Alxys Chamberlain said both sides were happy to "rediscover clarity and understanding about the support from the Town of Kentville in hosting the event."

The parade was originally going to be held in New Minas on May 27 because festival organizers said they had difficulty in securing policing and parks and recreation staff in Kentville.

The parade has almost always been held in Kentville during the festival's 85 years.

The move just down the road resulted in plenty of criticism against the festival as many people wanted to keep the parade in Kentville. An online petition to stop the parade from moving to New Minas garnered 1,878 supporters.

Both the town and festival organizers said they have been in talks with New Minas throughout the whole process leading up to the announcement.

"This is open communication and mutual interest for the greater success of the parade and festival by all parties," Kentville CAO Mark Phillips said in the release. "The agreement reflects this positive spirit."