Naomi Wilbur is the reigning Almond Blossom Queen/Miss Ripon.

The Ripon High senior will turn over her reign Thursday during the 7 p.m. coronation ceremony at the Ripon Community Center.

Among the princess hopefuls are Shay Cunningham, Annie Wild, Makenzie Loechler, Hailey Knief, Ines Rodriguez, Brianna Alvarez, Jade Diaz, Katie Van Unen, Chloe Price, Paris Ferrill, Ruth Visser, Kacy Thurman, Brooke Barros, Briley Perez, and Heaven Elisary.

They participated in last week’s Miss Almond Blossom Fashion Show.

“Our Miss Almond Blossom / Miss Ripon candidates had a great time showing off their personalities and sporting our local small business clothing,” the Ripon Chamber of Commerce posted on social media.

Businesses involved in this event included Laceybird Boutique and Faux Glow Spray Tans & Boutique.

In addition, Ripon Garden Club members – this year’s Almond Blossom grand marshal – modeled clothes from Emerycloth.

This week’s 60th annual Almond Blossom events are as follows:

·         Thursday through Sunday – Vendor Fair and Carnival at Mistlin Park.

·         Thursday – Bake Off, 7-10 a.m., Ripon Community Center; Lion’s Club Spaghetti Dinner (Ripon Community Center), 4:30-7 p.m.

·         Friday – Community Stage live music “Teen Night” featuring bands from GK Music School, 5-8 p.m.; Quarterback Club Golf Tournament at La Contenta Golf Club, Valley Springs.

·         Saturday – Ripon Grange Pancake Breakfast, Ripon Grange Hall, 6-10 a.m.; Almond Blossom Festival Fun Run, featuring 8K or 1-mile races, Mavis Stouffer Park (shirt, medal and goodie bag for participants), 8:30 a.m. (one mile), 9 a.m. (8K); Immanuel CRC Bake Sale (9 a.m.-2 p.m.) and Lunch (11 a.m.-2 p.m.); Diaper Derby, Ripon High North Gym, 10 a.m.; Community Stage Live Music (Mistlin Sports Park), noon-8 p.m.; Almond Blossom Festival Parade at 1 p.m. (downtown Ripon, starting at Stockton Avenue); Quarterback Club Brats and Drinks, Ripon Community Center, 1 p.m.-7 p.m.

Information: www.riponchamber.org