Osoyoos Royalty Queen Gina Pereira (left) and Princess Viveka Jensen (right) attended numerous events over the past several weeks, including a couple with reigning B.C. Ambassador for Osoyoos Lauren Sherwood. The Osoyoos Royalty will name a new Queen and Princesses on Monday night at the Sonora Community Centre during the annual pageant. (Photo supplied)
Wow, what an amazing spring this has been.
To start the spring pageants in April, we went to the village of Chase. As soon as we got there, all of the visiting Royalty teams were split up into different groups and went all around the village, following clues in a scavenger hunt.
Later that evening, we watched the retiring Royalty give their crowns to the new Royalty and listened to three presentations from chiefs around Shuswap Lake.
After the pageant, all the Royalty went to the local bowling centre to bowl and play pool.
The next weekend in early May, we didn’t have to travel far. We stayed in the Okanagan, to attend the Blossom Pageant in Summerland.
We watched their candidates give long speeches and present talents on Friday evening. The next night, we attended the pageant and dance that they hosted after the pageant.
Our next trip was to the “Home of Champions” in the City of Trail. We attended some of the Silver City Days events, such as the carnival and fireworks, and, of course, the Miss Trail pageant.
In the parade, we got to ride in an old-fashioned car that was manufactured way back in 1968.
A few weeks later, we travelled to Elkford. We made a few stops at places along our way and took photos, one being the biggest truck in the world.
We even went to the Alberta border.
We were pleased to have Lauren Sherwood, the B.C. Ambassador representing Osoyoos, travel with us to Trail and Elkford.
The next week, we headed that way again but we didn’t go as far, as we went to Castlegar to attend their beautiful pageant and reception.
May was a busy month for the candidates as well.
It began with their first judged event. They presented a short speech and an entertainment number.
The Osoyoos Royalty program would like to thank Wander Café for loaning outfits for us to wear for the fashion show and the Osoyoos United Church Thrift Shop for the items for the ‘frugal’ fashion portion of the evening.
We had a great time wearing them.
June was also a very busy month for the candidates, as they prepared and presented long speeches and had their cakes auctioned off at a dinner evening.
Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the candidates.
As it’s nearing the end of our reign, we went on our last overnight pageant in Cranbrook, which is quite a beautiful place.
We really enjoyed the Sweetheart of Sam Steele Pageant and Sam Steele Days.
We were invited to take part in their parade, which was also very lovely.
We still have one last pageant and parade to attend, in Princeton. We will be taking our candidates, as well. It will be a nice way to end the year, before supporting our own candidates at our pageant on June 30.
The venue has changed to Sonora Centre and the doors open at 6 and the pageant starts at 6:30 p.m. We hope to see you all there.
Princess Viveka Jensen says it has been a great year and she was very happy to have represented Osoyoos.
“We have such a wonderful program and I feel so lucky to have gone through it. I’d like to thank the Town of Osoyoos, my sponsor and family for supporting me,” said Jensen. “You are all wonderful people. Now, I will be saying goodbye to my travels across British Columbia, but that doesn’t mean adventures have to end. Wherever I go, I’ll invite people to Osoyoos, where you will find Canada’s warmest welcome.
Queen Gina Pereira said she will also be very sad to have her reign end on Monday.
“What an incredible year this has been,” she said. “For the past 12 months, I was honoured to represent the beautiful town of Osoyoos.
“I found out for myself why our town is known for providing ‘Canada’s Warmest Welcome.’
“Not only is the weather warm, but everyone here has been wonderful and kind. I would like to thank the Town of Osoyoos for everything that has been done to support this program. Without your help, I would not have had the privilege of travelling to so many communities across beautiful British Columbia.”
Five Osoyoos teenagers will be participating in Monday’s pageant.
The new Queen and Princesses will participate in the annual Cherry Fiesta parade on Tuesday morning.
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