This year marks the sixty-first year of the Harvest Queen Pageant...
There have been a lot of changes since the crowning of the first Harvest Queen with a crown made of vegetables! That crowning tradition continued for several years, as the pageant continued to grow- the vegetables turned into an official pageant crown.
During the first years of the pageant (and many thereafter) it was not unheard of to have 30-50 contestants being judged by famous celebrities such as Mazie Murphy Kline, Miami Dolphin players, and Jaycee dignitaries.
From 1973-1983 the pageant was not held (for various reasons) but in 1984 Cathy Lee was asked to coordinate the pageant – Dr. Fliehs and the Lions Club wanted to bring the pageant back! Allison Shirley was the new Queen that year; since then, the Pageant has grown, and many contestants have been a part of the annual event.
In 1985, Cathy passed her duties to Olga Hayes and Sherry Barnes who accepted them with vigor! And, in 1988 Cathy resumed her pageant duties until 2010, with help from Becky White and the Lions Club. Deena Lee and Kerry DesRoshes choreographed the pageant during those years and in 2010 Cathy handed Deena the proverbial “baton” and she has been the pageant coordinator ever since with support and assistance from Cathy behind the scenes. The pageant has also displayed some of the most beautiful stage designs which would not be possible without the vision and talents of Dorinda Shutts.
The pageant is a wonderful opportunity for the contestants, they gain confidence through learning interviewing skills and how to dress and conduct themselves in a pageant environment. Through the years many contestants have continued and achieved honors including Kayla Collier who was crowned Miss Teen Florida, USA.
