The Christmas king and queen have been chosen and will celebrate their crowning on a very special day.
Nine-year-old Elias Gabriel and Monique Kruger, 10, were named honorary Miss Penticton junior royalty recently and will be front and centre on the Peach Festival Float at this year’s annual Downtown Penticton Santa Claus Parade Dec. 2.
The pair had their names drawn at a recent fundraiser at the Penticton Lakeside Resort to help with the annual costs of the various activities of the royalty program.
The other special award that day, as voted by the kids attending the first-ever event, went to Coun. Campbell Watt who wound up with the dubious distinction of wearing the ugliest Christmas Sweater.
Read more:Honourary royalty to be crowned at Miss Penticton fundraiser
“Travel costs have gone up quite a bit over the last few years and so we’re having to add this to what we get from the city,” said organizer Jo Sommerfeld. “So we decided to try something different this year and it looks like it’s a big success. I would say we’ve probably got 100 or 125 people here.”
In addition to the crowning and the ugly sweater contest there was also a movie, Rise of the Guardians as well as a silent auction, crafts, prizes and a photo booth.
There was also an opportunity for people to purchase a ticket online to sponsor a child who may not have otherwise been able to go to the event.
Last year Penticton royalty traveled to 26 communities generating exposure for the city.
“We’re excited about hosting this event to ensure we continue to spread the word about our great community throughout the Pacific Northwest,” said princess Makalya Stasuik before the event.
Miss Penticton this year is Lily Eggert and the other princess is Romalee Stanley.