The nine candidates in this year’s Blossom Pageant are preparing for the final events and coronation two weeks from Saturday.
The 45th annual Summerland Blossom Pageant will be held May 1 and 2 at Centre Stage Theatre.
The talent and speech competition will be on Friday, May 1 beginning at 7 p.m. The coronation of the next Blossom Queen and two princesses will be on Saturday, May 2, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Karen Hooper, chair of the Summerland Royalty Committee, said the candidates have been preparing since October.
“They’re really good,” Hooper said of this year’s candidates. “Some of them started out very shy, but they’re enjoying it now.”
While the pageant weekend is the biggest part of the royalty selection process, the candidates have had other events including a tea and fashion show in February and a personal interview with the judges.
They have also taken a written knowledge exam on Summerland’s history, tourism and municipal politics.
Hooper said the exam is important since next year’s royalty will represent the community at numerous functions over the coming year.
From May to October, those selected as Summerland’s royalty will attend function in Summerland and around the province almost every weekend.
