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The sun is almost directly overhead as the large paper showcases creep forward along Main Street in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. Sitting on the floats, State Laurel Festival Princesses look as fresh under the full summer sun as if they were riding in the cool of the evening. In their procession of lavender taffeta, turquoise satin, tulle peeking out from under hems, and white sleeveless dresses, they do not freckle in the heat; their mascara doesn’t run, and there are no sweat stains on their clothes. There is magic about these young ladies, a serene vitality. They are the picture of promise and promises fulfilled. And so the question arises: how do the judges for the Laurel Queen Pageant choose one queen from all the lovely princesses? This year’s pageant started with a letter to the principals and the senior advisors of the schools where the thirty-two princesses for this year’s 67th pageant were to be selected. The letter requested that the senior class advisor or the principal choose several young ladies who best met the criteria for the festival and then allow the senio When the princesses from each school were selected, they filled out a Laurel Queen Candidate’s Entry Form. On the form the young women noted school activities for each of their four high school years, school awards or honors, any out-of-school awards, hobbies and community service activities, and educational or other plans following graduation. Of course, appearance is still important. Each entry was accompanied with a black and white or color wallet photo for inclusion in the Program Book as well as for newspapers. The princesses also sent in 8”x10” color prints for display in Wellsboro shop windows. The process of selecting a queen begins in earnest on the morning of Friday June 20, 2008. During Friday and Saturday, the princesses will be judged on such things as their dress and appearance. They are asked to show up on Friday morning already garbed in a light dress, skirt ensemble, or dressy slacks. Jeans and shorts are not allowed. Wearing these outfits, they will be treated to a picnic lunch, courtesy of The Native Bagel, at Leonard Harrison State Park overlooking the east rim of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Friday evening the Princesses are required to wear a “nice dress suitable for church or dinner” for the Queen Preview and for photos. In the more formal activities on Saturday, mainly the Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival Parade and the Coronation Ceremony, they will wear a formal gown, or even two different gowns if they choose. The princesses will also be judged on their personality and conduct during the various activities of the weekend, including a photo session with Caleb Williams of Wellsboro’s Heritage Portrait Studio, a one-on-one short interview with each judge, and short speeches introducing themselves at the Queen Preview Friday night. On Saturday morning, the candidates will be interviewed by Wellsboro’s own wonderfully colorful 86-year-old radio personality John Antonio. Brunch follows at Wellsboro High School, at which time the candidates will vote for the pageant’s Miss Congeniality. And, of course, there is the parade, the only part of selecting a queen that most people get to observe. But what a part! Amid the backdrop of the time-honored perennials—sweating high school bands, fire trucks that appear to be driven by children, bagpipers, men in tasseled hats driving miniature cars, marching Civil War reenactment groups, and politicians throwing Bazooka gum—the princesses give the Laurel Festival Parade a fresh face. Their youthful beauty, more fleeting than they can comprehend, enriches the Laurel tradition. After a smorgasbord dinner at the Penn Wells Hotel, the princesses have their Coronation Ceremony, where, finally, the queen is chosen. The queen is the special young lady of the Laurel Festival, chosen from among many princesses, all of whom radiate youthful beauty, poise, intelligence, and a spirit of community service. The official pictures of the queen and princesses, overflowing with smiles and gowns, will linger long in the memories of families, friends, and enthusiastic well-wishers. For them, the queen and her court will remain ageless as the unique essence of this year’s State Laurel Festival—royalty all. WHAT: PA State Laurel Festival Coronation Ceremony Wellsboro resident Dawn Bilder is a frequent contributor to Mountain Home magazine. |
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Mountain Home Guide
r class to vote and elect a candidate from their list. The letter stated, “The young lady chosen to represent your school must possess poise, charm, personality, and be ever mindful of her personal appearance and conduct.” Other prerequisites included a 3.0 grade point average or above, and involvement in some sort of community service activity.
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