This year marks the 50th Annual Marshall County Blueberry Festival. The theme for the festival is “Another Picnic in the Park.” This Saturday, June 25th, the first official event of the festival will be the “2016 Miss Blueberry Scholarship Pageant” with the crowning of the new 2016 Miss Blueberry by Cassandra “Cassi” Quissell, 2015 Miss Blueberry when she relinquishes her crown.
A total of 13 young ladies from throughout Marshall County will vie for the crown. The contestants have a busy two weeks prior to the pageant. They have dance rehearsals, a Community Service night visiting the residents of the Miller’s Senior Living Community, practices on walking and grace, getting use to a stage and a pizza party to relax prior to dress rehearsal on Friday evening.
On Saturday, the morning of the pageant, the contestants will have a personal interview with the panel of Judges. This same panel of Judges will evaluate the contestants in Evening Wear and Theme Wear during the on stage portion of the contest in the evening. In keeping with the theme “Another Picnic in the Park” each contestant is asked to appear in a theme wear outfit that represents “A Person of Interest from Indiana History”.
The 2016 Miss Blueberry will receive a $1250.00 Scholarship, a Crown, Cut Glass Bowl, Blueberry Necklace, and a Portrait. The 1st Runner up will receive a $750.00 Scholarship & a Cut Glass Bowl. The 2nd Runner up will receive a $500.00 Scholarship & a Cut Glass Bowl. Miss Friendship, chosen by the contestants, will receive a $100 cash award and a Heart Shaped Cut Glass Bowl. The Queen and Runners up will represent the festival at several parades throughout the summer as well as various activities during the Festival.
In January of 2017, the Queen will represent the Marshall County Blueberry Festival in the Indiana State Festival Queen Pageant at the ISFA Convention held in Indianapolis. In 1998, Marsha Gates won the Indiana State Festival Queen Pageant representing the Marshall County Blueberry Festival as 1997 Miss Blueberry. Marsha represented the Town of Argos in the Marshall County pageant.
The pageant will be held at the Argos High School Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 25th. The cost is $5.00, with children 12 and under free. The public is invited and encouraged to come and support all of the contestants as they compete for the “2016 Miss Blueberry” crown.
Following is a list of the Queen contestants:
Sarah Caroline Hawkins-Age 19, will be a Sophomore at Indiana Wesleyan University. She is the daughter of Melinda Hawkins and Kyle Hawkins.
Hannah Rose DeMont-Age 18, is a graduate of Plymouth High School and will attend Ancilla College and major in Business. She is the daughter of Mike DeMont and Jennifer & Tony Ross.
Chelsea Ann Marie Tibbs-Age 17, will be a Senior at John Glenn High School. Her parents are Jason and Pauline Tibbs.
Haley Elisabeth Hampton-Age 19, is a graduate of Argos Jr-Sr High School and will be attending Full Sail University in the fall and majoring in Computer Animation. She is the daughter of Julie Hampton.
Katelyn Nicole Berg-Age 18, is a 2016 graduate of Plymouth High School. She will be attending Ancilla College in the fall. She is the daughter of Timothy and Heather Berg.
Alicia Leigh Dennie-Age 17, will be a senior at Plymouth High School this fall. She is the daughter of Cory and Teresa Dennie.
Markee Lynea Tener-Farler-Age 20, is a graduate of Ancilla College and will be attending Indiana University South Bend majoring in Business Administration. She is the daughter of Michael and Diane Fisher.
Emily Marie Arroyo-Age 17, is a 2016 graduate of Plymouth High School and will be attending Ancilla College this fall. She is the daughter of Gustavo and Veronica Arroyo.
Anya Marie Vittoria Cassandra Hettich-Age 18, is a 2016 graduate of Plymouth High School. She will be attending IPFW in the fall and majoring in Pre Med with a minor in Psychology. She is the daughter of Drew and Tara Hettich.
Brianna Nicole Nolin-Age 18, is a graduate of Triton High School and will be attending Indiana University at Bloomington majoring in Human Biology/Spanish/French this fall. She is the daughter of Chad Nolin and Amy Spencerman.
Katie Anne-Marie Lenker-Age 18, is a 2016 graduate of Triton High School. She will be attending Purdue University this fall and majoring in Animal Sciences/Veterinary Technology. She is the daughter of Jon & Angela Day and Tom Lenker & Carol Dombkowski.
Katelynn Jane Culp-Age 18, is a graduate of Plymouth High School and this fall will attend Indiana University-South Bend majoring in nursing. She is the daughter of Duane and Jacquelynn Culp.
Korie Marie Rice-Age 19, will be a Sophomore at Indiana University majoring in Psychology and Neuroscience, Pre Med. She is the daughter of Lisa Bailey.
Provided by the Marshall County Blueberry Festival
