Ripon High School junior Molly Ysit is the 2019 Almond Blossom Queen.

Ysit was crowned Thursday night during competition at the Ripon Community Center that featured nine hopefuls. The first runner-up was Annalise Welsh.

The princesses were escorted to the stage by members of the Ripon High School JROTC before a crowd of more than 100.

The outgoing Miss Almond Blossom Saylor DeAbreu, who also served as Miss Ripon 2018, gave her goodbye speech before the crowning of her successor.

The contestants were required to sell raffle tickets to raise money to support the staging of the festival. Their ticket sales were included in the judging. The raffle winner was announced as Ripon Mayor Mike Restuccia and his wife Mona.

Ripon’s 57th annual Almond Blossom Festival takes place at the Mistlin Sports Park, Jack Tone Road and River Road.

The carnival opens Friday starting at 4 p.m. There is also a craft and bake sale at the Ripon Senior Center, 433 S. Wilma Ave., starting at 9 a.m.

The Almond Blossom Festival with its wide variety of food and craft vendors also takes place at the Mistlin Sports Park where the carnival is being staged. The festival and carnival get underway at noon. Saturday with the festival closing for the day at 5 p.m. Vendors are open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the carnival opens at noon.

Admission to the grounds of free. There is a $5 parking charge.

Also taking place on Saturday:

*6 a.m., Grange Pancake Breakfast, 827 Ripona Avenue.

*7 a.m., American Legion Auxiliary Breakfast, 100 block South Stockton Avenue.

* 8:30 a.m., Almond blossom Fun Run at Stouffer Park.

* 9 a.m. Craft and Bake Sale, senior center 433 South Wilma Avenue.

* 10 a.m., Diaper Derby, Ripon High School North Gym .

*11 a.m., Quarterback Club Beer and Brats fundraiser, Ripon Community Center.

* 1 p.m. Almond Blossom parade.

To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.