Winona Peach Festival Pageant
Pageant History
Explore the evolution of the Winona Peach Festival Pageant and the generations of Royalty, coordinators, volunteers and sponsors who helped shape this cherished tradition.
A Tradition That Evolved Through the Years
The Pageant went through several transitions—from a Queen with Ladies in Waiting, to a Queen and two Princesses, then to an Ambassador and Attachés in 1993, followed by three Ambassadors in 1994. In 1995, the Pageant returned to the titles of Queen and Princesses.
Each Pageant Coordinator brought something new and helped keep the event meaningful, memorable and full of opportunity for contestants.
Milestones
The Pageant Through the Years
Key moments in the evolution of the Winona Peach Festival Pageant.
The First Pageant
The first Pageant was held in the Winona Secondary School gym and was organized by Cam Hooton and John Van Essen. Johanna Van Essen was crowned Queen, while Georgina Smith Beattie and Lindsay Poole Dobson served as her Ladies in Waiting.
The Royalty represented the four Centennial events, travelled to Albany, visited Queen’s Park with a wheelbarrow of peaches and participated in tours of local farms.
The Pageant Returns
Jean Swackhammer reintroduced the Pageant. Barbara Lawrence McMullen became the first official Winona Peach Queen, and contestants served as hostesses for the Festival.
Community Sponsorship Begins
Festival organizations began sponsoring contestants. In 1977, Miriam DeWildt revived the tradition of taking a wheelbarrow full of peaches to Queen’s Park.
A Special Tiara and New Traditions
Under Pageant Chair Marg White, the event was held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Gymnasium. The Queen used the Sarah Coventry tiara—the same style used in the Miss Canada Pageant—and contestants received jewelry gifts.
Ambassador and Attachés
To better reflect the Royalty’s role as Festival representatives, the titles were changed to one Ambassador and two Attachés.
Three Ambassadors
All three titleholders were named Ambassadors so that each young woman held equal status.
Queen and Princesses Return
The General Membership voted to restore the traditional titles of Queen and Princesses.
A New Pageant Format
Melissa and Pam Shuker became Pageant Coordinators and introduced a group dance routine and a business-casual portion to help prepare Royalty for community appearances.
50th Anniversary Royalty Judges
As part of the Festival’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, all five judges were past Peach Festival Royalty: Georgina Smith Beattie, Joanne Golding Tadeson, Cheryl Skirving, Saphia Khambalia and Chelsa Killey.
A Meaningful Experience
More Than a Pageant
Ambassadors for the Festival
Each year, the Queen and Princesses represented the Festival at Queen’s Park, parades, the Grand Peach Ball, television and radio interviews, community events and many other appearances.
Personal Growth
Contestants were encouraged to meet new people, try new experiences and challenge themselves. Budgeting for their Pageant outfit was once part of the judging process.
Judging and Scoring
Scoring categories and questions changed over time. Judges included past Queens and Princesses, former Festival Presidents, business owners, sponsors and special guests such as Miss Canada 1974, Blair Lancaster.
Pageant Coordinators
Generations of coordinators and committee members brought fresh ideas, new traditions and countless volunteer hours to the Pageant.
Community Support
Norm McCabe of McCabe Iron Works sponsored the Pageant for many years, alongside other generous local businesses that supported contestants, Queen and Princesses.
A Volunteer Tradition
Like the Festival itself, the Pageant was powered by volunteers working behind the scenes to create opportunities, memories and lasting friendships.
Celebrating Generations of Royalty
Many past Queens and Princesses later returned as judges, volunteers and supporters. Their continued involvement helped preserve the Pageant’s history and strengthened its connection to the wider Festival community.
Thank You to Our Pageant Community
We congratulate every Pageant Coordinator, committee member, sponsor, contestant, Queen and Princess who contributed to this remarkable chapter of Winona Peach Festival history.
