By Judy Reed

Last weekend was a great weekend to kick off the beginning of the Red Flannel Festival, and the selection of a new Red Flannel Queen and court for 2021 was part of the fun.

Friday night was the home football game and firefighter light parade, and Saturday events included the Red Flannel run/walk, kids day events, the bed races, and the Red Flannel Queen Scholarship Pageant ended the day.

The event was held at The Springs Church, and three contestants vied for this year’s title.

Chosen as the 2021 Red Flannel Queen was Maddie Radebach, and her court members are Ree’Anna Forman and Natalie Pierce. 

Master of Ceremonies was Dave Stuart Jr. and Hostess was the 2011 Red Flannel Queen, Tranaya Verstrat Mosher.

Pageant director Kaleigh Goehler said that the three contestants went through the same practices and judging rounds that they have every year. “I am very proud of these three young ladies and the hard work they all put in,” she said.

“We enjoyed reminiscing about pageants and Red Flannel Days of the past,” she added. “Along with crowning our new queen, we enjoyed a conversation with past royalty members talking about how the pageant and the job of the Red Flannel Queen and Court has changed and evolved over the years. We also had a virtual interview with our Grand Marshal and 1989 Red Flannel Queen Cindy Patin, live from Chicago.”

The Queen and court members will each receive a scholarship–$3,000 for the Queen and $1,500 for each court member. 

The scholarship is made possible by donations from the community. Donations can be dropped off at the Red Flannel Office, or there is a “donate” button on the Red Flannel Festival website at redflannelfestival.org. 

“We are very proud that 100 percent of donations received go to the scholarship,” said Goehler.

The new Red Flannel Queen and Court will reign until next year’s Red Flannel Festival. You will be able to see them Saturday during this year’s festival, at various places along Main Street and on the float in the parade.