Tonight’s Almond Blossom Queen / Miss Ripon Fashion Show will feature 15 princesses looking to be crowned queen.
They’ll display spirit wear, first day of school outfits, and formal wear.
This is the final activity for the local girls, who took part in last month’s speech contest during the kick-off of the 60th annual event hosted by the Ripon Chamber of Commerce.
The Almond Blossom Queen / Miss Ripon Fashion Show will begin at 6 p.m. at Calvary Reformed Church, 741 Second St.
The crowning of the queen will take place on Thursday, Feb. 24, during a special coronation event at the Ripon Community Center.
The ABF queen and her royal court along with this year’s grand marshal (Ripon Garden Club) will be featured in the Feb. 26 parade along historic downtown.
The deadline is Monday for those looking to participate in the parade.
Among the queen candidates are:
Bailey Perez
She attends Ripon Christian High, and is vocally trained to go with her passion being involved in theater, dance, and the performing arts.
Perez has been active in a variety of extracurricular activities during her years at RC.
“After graduation, I hope to help others have a clearer view of the world around them as an optometrist,” she said in her bio provide by the Chamber of Commerce.
As far as her involvement with the Almond Blossom Festival as one of the princesses, Perez said: “I aim to represent my community with authenticity and radiance, as there truly is no place like the ‘Jewel of the Valley.’”
She’s lived in Ripon most of her life outside the short period when her family temporarily relocated to Texas.
Brook Barros
Barros is super excited to be part of this year’s Almond Blossom Court.
She attends Ripon High, where she’s been involved in yearbook – Barros is a copy editor this year – and is the activities director for Girls League along with outreach coordinator for Sacred Heart.
Outside of school, she’s participated in Love Ripon, served as a volunteer at Ripon Grace Church, and written letters to the elderly in the ‘Letters for Rose’ organization.
Barros is a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in particular, Spider-Man. She’s been known to binge watch many of the MCU movies.
Barros is hoping to attend Cal Poly to study speech pathology.
Chloe Price
She describes herself as “funny, outgoing, and adventurous.”
Price, who is a certified lifeguard, has jumped off the cliffs at Knights Ferry and into the Stanislaus River. She also played water polo for Ripon High.
Price, in addition, proudly embraces the arts.
“In the future, my friends and I would like to write a musical,” she said.
Upcoming Almond Blossom Festival events
· Feb. 24-27 – Vendor Fair and Carnival at Mistlin Park.
· Feb. 24, Thursday – Bake Off, 7-10 a.m., Ripon Community Center; Lion’s Club Spaghetti Dinner (Ripon Community Center), 4:30-7 p.m.; Miss Almond Blossom Coronation (Ripon Community Center), 7 p.m.
· Feb. 25, 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.
· Feb. 26, 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.
