Miss Osoyoos Emmaleigh Diwell (far right) and Osoyoos Princesses Taryn Aspell (far left) and Laura Devries were kept exceptionally busy over the past month after being crowned in late June. The young ladies attended several parades, including the Cherry Fiesta parade in Osoyoos, and also travelled to attend numerous Royalty celebrations in other communities. (Contributed photo)
Ever since we were crowned on June 30, it has been go, go, go!
Osoyoos Royalty Princesses Laura Devries and Taryn Aspell, and I have already attended four pageants and three parades.
On July 1, the day after our pageant, we had the opportunity to be a part of multiple local Canada Day activities as the newly-crowned Osoyoos Royalty team.
Bright and early, we attended The Rotary Club of Osoyoos pancake breakfast. Then we were off on the Osoyoos Festival Society’s float to be part of the Cherry Fiesta parade.
We attended the town’s luncheon and had a chance to meet with some of the visiting Royalty with whom we will be spending our year.
It was good to say a public hello at the Gyro band shell. After that, we were whisked away into our co-ordinator’s van along with the Oliver ambassadors and went to Peachland to be a part of their parade.
It was a relief to get back home in time for our own town’s fireworks and fall into bed
On July 2, we were able to attend Princeton’s parade.
Needless to say, our arms were very tired after all the waving of the past few days, but we had our synchronized wave down pat.
Then we attended Princeton’s pageant and saw their candidates crowned and their former Royalty retire.
On Wednesday, July 6, Princesses Laura and Taryn and I packed into the van again and started the long trip to Quesnel.
We got to share our trip with one of the B.C. Ambassadors, Rachael TeBulte. When we finally arrived in Quesnel, we watched the speech and talent night.
All the candidates did an amazing job.
The next day, we were able to relax a little and spent the whole day in Barkerville, which was a fantastic historical experience! On Friday, Princess Taryn and I visited Prince George’s museum and learned a little bit more about Prince George. Princess Laura had a family visit.
Then it was back to the hotel to put on our gowns to attend Quesnel’s pageant.
On July 9, we said goodbye to B.C. Ambassador Rachael (by the end of the trip, we all considered her a good friend) and made our way to Kamloops to attend another pageant. The pageant was huge and included a very intricate promenade done by the candidates and reigning Royalty.
On July 15, we travelled to Kelowna for their pageant. The first day that we were there we attended the pageant and got to visit with some of our many fellow sparkle-heads from other communities that had come to support the current and former Kelowna Royalty.
The next day, we were able to spend time on a houseboat, just sailing around Okanagan Lake, catching up with everybody.
We definitely had a very busy first month of our reign, but we all agree that we gained many new experiences and facts about the communities we visited, along with making many new friends.
I wouldn’t trade this busy month for anything. We are really looking forward to the next 11 months.
(This column was written by Emmleigh Diwell, the current Osoyoos Royalty Queen).
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