Who will be crowned Miss Almond Blossom Queen 2024?

That question will be answered on Thursday, Feb. 22, during the Coronation ceremony in the Ripon Community Center.

The candidates for the 62nd annual Almond Blossom Festival consist of Brooklyn Ballard, Madeline Curtiss, Arabella Hoit, Tiffani Hunter, Kamalpreet Kaur, Emma O’Laughlin, Gabriella Torres, Joyce Wall, Abigail Wilson, and Ziana Zaklan.

“All 10 of these bright young women have been working hard for the title of Miss Ripon and the opportunity to represent the Ripon Community,” said the Ripon Chamber of Commerce via social media.

Miss Ripon – the winner of Almond Blossom Queen will also hold that title throughout the year – Ava Brocchini will be on hand at the 7 p.m. special crowning event to turn over the reign.

Thus far, the queen candidates recently took part in the speech contest and are gearing up for the upcoming fashion show.

Serving as this year’s grand marshal is the South San Joaquin Irrigation District, selected for its 115 years of service to the area. The theme is: “Watering the Roots of Ripon since 1909.”

The Almond Blossom Festival schedule of events is as followed:

·         Thursday, Feb. 22 – Bake Off, 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Ripon Community Center; Lion’s Club Spaghetti Dinner, 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m., Ripon Community Center; ABF Festival (Two Dollar Ride Night), 5 p.m.-10 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park.

·         Friday, Feb. 23 – Craft & Bake Sale, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Ripon Senior Center; Festival Vender Booths Open, 2 p.m.-8 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park; ABF Festival, 4 p.m.-10 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park; Community Stage “Teen Night” (live music), 4 p.m.-8 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park; Quarterback Club Golf Tournament.

·         Saturday, Feb. 24 – Ripon Grange Pancake Breakfast, 6 a.m.-10 a.m., Ripon Grange Hall; American Legion Ladies Auxiliary 190 10th annual Burrito Breakfast, 7 a.m.-12 noon, American Legion Hall; Fun Run, 8:30 a.m. (1 mile), 9 a.m. (8K), Mavis Stouffer Park; Craft & Bake Sale, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Ripon Senior Center; Immanuel CRC Bake Sale, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Festival Vendor Booths, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park; Diaper Derby, 10 a.m., Ripon High North Gym; ABF Carnival, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park; Community Stage (live music), 12 noon-8 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park, ABF Parade, 1 p.m., downtown Ripon (starting at Stockton Avenue); Quarterback Club Brats & Drinks, 1 p.m.-7 p.m., Ripon Community Center; Swiss Club Dance (must be 21 and over), 7 p.m., Swiss Club.

·         Sunday, Feb. 25 – Festival Vendor Booths, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park; ABF Carnival, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park; Community Stage (live music), 12 noon-5 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park.

For more information, contact the Ripon Chamber of Commerce at 209.599.7519 or email info@riponchamber.org.