By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
ALMONDS IN FASHION
Ripon festival’s annual fashion show Feb. 8
abF 2023 CANDIDATES
Miss Ripon and last year’s Almond Blossom Festival Queen Briley Perez shares the stage with this year’s princesses and queen hopefuls following the annual speech contest at Ripon City Hall.

The 10 Almond Blossom Queen / Miss Ripon contestants just shared the many facets, functions, and historical contributions of the Ripon Chamber of Commerce.

Ava Brocchini, Kylee Fullmer, Madison Hendley, Anniston Holck, Ava Keast, Payton Miller-Kay, Anika Schooland, Madeline Staley, Madeline Stewart, and Nayeli Zuniga were part of last week’s speech competition at Ripon City Hall.

Each are vying for the title of queen for the annual Almond Blossom Festival scheduled from Feb. 23 through Feb. 26.

Next up the queen candidates – each are juniors attending Ripon High or Ripon Christian High – the Miss Almond Blossom Fashion Show at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Calvary Ripon Church.

This year marks the 100th year of the Ripon Chamber of Commerce’s connection with the community and local businesses.

In celebration of the century milestone, the Chamber is honored to serve as this year’s Almond Blossom Festival Grand Marshal.

Appropriately, the theme for the 61st annual event is “Connecting Business and Community Since 1923.”

“As we have grown over the years, a lot of people have wondered what our role is in the community,” the Chamber recently posted on social media.

The queen candidates provided some of those answers at the speech competition – the winner of Miss Almond Blossom will also reign as Miss Ripon for the upcoming year.

The Almond Blossom Festival will again include the carnival and vendor fair at Mistlin Sports Park along with the Fun Run, the Main Street parade, and the Diaper Derby.

Hours are Friday, Feb. 24, from 4 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 25, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The carnival is open Thursday, Feb, 23, from 5 to 10 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 24, from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 25, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 26, from 11 .m. to 5 p.m.

  There is a Saturday fun run. Community stage entertainment on the Saturday and Sunday, a teen night with live music at the park on that Friday.

On the weekend local groups stage various breakfasts, dinners, dance, and even bake sales throughout the community.

For more information  go to riponchamber.org/almond-blossom-festival/