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Kaur selected as 2024 Almond Blossom queen; festival is in full-swing today thru Sunday at Mistlin Sports Park
ABF 2024 pix
Kamalpreet Kaur (middle) was crowned Almond Blossom Festival Queen / Miss Ripon on Thursday. She’s joined by Miss Congeniality Brooklyn Ballard (left), and ABF runner-up Princess Joyce Wall.

Kamalpreet Kaur was crowned Almond Blossom Festival Queen / Miss Ripon at Thursday’s Coronation Ceremony held at the Ripon Community Center.

The Ripon High junior earned the title based on her overall scores in the one-on-one interviews, kick-off speeches, fashion show, and blind essay – based on the theme “Watering the Roots of Ripon since 1909” in honor of the South San Joaquin Irrigation District.

SSJID was selected as grand marshal – based on 115 years of service – for the 62nd annual Almond Blossom Festival.

Kaur was crowned queen by outgoing Miss Ripon Ava Brocchini, highlighting the special event.

According to Ripon Chamber of Commerce President / CEO Kelly Donohue, each of the five categories were worth 20 points each – an overall score of 100 was the highest possible tally.

Kaur, who will reign as Miss Ripon following the conclusion of this weekend’s Almond Blossom Festival for the next 12 months, edged out runner-up Joyce Wall for the title.

Brooklyn Ballard was voted by her peers as Miss Congeniality.

Kaur, Wall, and Ballard will lead the royal court in Saturday’ parade along with other festivities during the next few days.

The Queen Court will also consist of Madeline Curtiss, Arabella Hoit, Tiffani Hunter, Emma O’Laughlin, Gabriella Torres, Abigail Wilson, and Ziana Zaklan – each were ABF queen candidates.

The coronation ceremony opened with presentation of the flags as presented by the Ripon High JROTC.

Pastor Brett Dood of the Calvary Reformed Church once again delivered the invocation.

Serving as judges were Bonnie Childers of Sierra Vista Child & Family Services, Sabrina Christianson of Triple H Youth Ranch, and Jessica Vaughan of the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Greater Valley. Barbie Ratto of the Bank of Stockton served as the secret judge, according to Donohue.

The schedule of events for this weekend is as followed:

  • Today (Friday, Feb. 23) – Craft & Bake Sale, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Ripon Senior Center; Festival Vendor 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; Arm Wrestling, 3 p.m.-7 p.m. ABF main stage; 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.