There’s new royalty in Southwest Michigan. 23 community queens struck a pose on the LMC Mendel Mainstage Monday night as part of the 84th Miss Blossomtime Pageant. Backstage, prior to the competition, the young ladies talked, curled and twirled.
The “Greatest Hits” themed pageant ran just under three hours, with Miss Coloma Ashley Sipla taking the top tiara.
“I was always that little girl in the audience looking up at all the queens, and I was just so excited to actually be on the stage with all of them, so for this to happen was really a dream come true,” Sipla said.
Sipla plans to attend Michigan State University to major in communications and business. Completing the 2016 Miss Blossomtime Court: First runner-up Rachel Carle of St. Joseph, Second runner-up Alley Sinclair of Hartford, and Miss Congeniality Aliea Chapin from Watervliet.
The Blossomtime Court will appear in parades and festivals through the year, and will be joined by the new Mr. Blossomtime and his crew, crowned Sunday night.
“Being crowned Mr. Blossomtime is absolutely amazing,” said Armani May, Mr. Blossomtime 2016. “I still actually feel like it’s unreal, and it’s going to continue to be an amazing experience.”
The Mr. Blossomtime Court includes first runner-up Eric Engel of St. Joseph, second runner-up Romeo Thompson of Berrien Springs, and Mr. Nice Guy George Smallbone from Eau Claire.
The new Mr. and Miss Blossomtime Courts will host the Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade, set for Saturday, May 7, in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor.
