Eight candidates will vie for the title of Summerland’s Blossom Queen and Princesses at the Blossom Pageant this weekend.
The talent and public speaking components will be held on Friday evening, while the evening gown competition, impromptu questions, frugal fashion show, coronation and awards will be on Saturday evening.
Karen Hooper, coordinator of the Blossom Pageant, said this year, for the first time, all eight candidates had sponsors in place when they entered the pageant training in October. She said in past years, some candidates did not initially have sponsors.
The pageant program began in October, and since that time, the candidates have been preparing for the weekend events.
Last year, pageant organizers introduced the Blossom Buds program. Candidates in the pageant program mentor a Grade 4 or 5 student during the year. This program has continued over the past year.
Throughout the program, candidates participate in a number of judged events including the Blossom Tea in January, an interview with judges and a knowledge test. The test has questions on local politics, tourism and the history of Summerland.
The final events are held on the coronation weekend.
Around 70 royalty from other B.C. communities are expected to attend .
After the pageant, the Blossom Queen, two princesses and Miss Congeniality will represent the community at various events around the province.
However, Hooper said the focus will be on volunteer work in the community.
Royalty members will participate at the NeighbourLink volunteer dinner, the Summerland Action Festival, the Giants Head Grind, the Polar Bear Dip, the Summerland Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards gala and more.
The talent and speech component of the pageant will be held at Centre Stage Theatre on Friday, May 4 from 7 to 9 p.m.
The coronation and awards evening will be held at Centre Stage Theatre on Saturday, May 5 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.