The kick-off night for the Almond Blossom Festival is Thursday, Jan. 12, in the Council Chamber at Ripon City Hall, 259 N. Wilma Ave.

Serving as grand marshal for the 61st annual event will be the Ripon Chamber of Commerce, in celebration of its 100th birthday.

Appropriately, the theme is “Connecting Business and Community Since 1923.”

Providing information on the Chamber in relation to the community during that span will be the 10 Almond Blossom Queen candidates – Ava Brocchini, Kylee Fullmer, Madison Hendley, Anniston Holck, Ava Keast, Payton Miller-Kay, Anika Schooland, Madeline Staley, Madeline Stewart, and Nayeli Zuniga – for the speech competition that begins at 6 o’clock.

That’s the first step in the queen competition. Each girl will be required to speak in front of a panel of judges at the kick-off event

Seating is limit. Tickets are $10 and available by clicking on to https://linktr.ee/riponchamber.

Light refreshments, in addition, will be served in the foyer of City Hall from 5:30 to 6.

According to the Chamber, the winner of the Miss Almond Blossom competition becomes Miss Ripon and reigns for the following year until the next candidate is crowned queen. Riley Perez is the current Miss Ripon.

Miss Ripon serves as a public figure and volunteer at all our Chamber events.

The Almond Blossom Festival is scheduled from Feb. 23 through Feb. 26. Included will be many events including the carnival and vendor fair at Mistlin Sports Park, the Fun Run, the Main Street parade, and the Diaper Derby.

For more information, log on to www.riponchamber.org/almond-blossom-festival/.bl