Pictured (L to R): 2012 Court member Jordyn Nichols; 2013 Court member Hannah Sommer; 2012 Queen Dani George; 2013 Queen Alexis Lucarelli; 2013 Court member Julianne Schut; and 2012 Court member Kellie Spahr.

Thirteen Cedar Springs area juniors vied for the title of 2013 Red Flannel Queen last Saturday evening, September 28, at Cedar Springs High School. Winning this year’s top honor was Alexis Lucarelli, daughter of Brett and Nikki Lucarelli. Her 2013 Red Flannel Court includes two Hannah Sommer, daughter of Charles and Joelene Sommer, and Julianne Schut, daughter of Joel and Chris Schut.

“All the girls did a fabulous job and we could tell each one of them worked so hard throughout this whole process,” said 2^nd Vice President Anna Nozkowski. “They looked beautiful as they graced the stage in their gowns and business attire. Very charming and sweet young ladies.”

This year’s pageant director was the 2007 Red Flannel Queen Kaleigh Rosenberger. “She did a wonderful job,” remarked Nozkowski. “It was very well organized and put together.”

The pageant was fun and entertaining for both the audience and the contestants. Nozkowski said one of the highlights of the evening was a local group from The Springs Church, who sang a funny song called, “We are the pirates who wear Red Flannels.”

The Queen and her court will all receive scholarship money for being chosen to represent the Red Flannel Festival. Donations for the Scholarships given to the winners will be received until June 2014. Please send your tax‐deductible donation to RFF Queen Scholarship Fund, PO Box 43, Cedar Springs, MI 49319 or go online to their website donate through PayPal.

2013 Prince & Princess, Deagan Pike and Grace Middlebrook. Photo courtesy of the Red Flannel Festival.

The annual Red Flannel Prince and Princess contest was held Wednesday, September 25, at the historic Kent Theatre in Cedar Springs. According to Chair Anna Nozkowski, 25 kindergarteners participated in the contest, and winners were Deagan Pike, of Cedar Trails Elementary, and Grace Middlebrook, of Creative Technologies Academy.

Len Allington, of the Kent Theatre, was presented with a plaque for his outstanding service to the Festival. He was reportedly 100 percent surprised and touched by the gesture. “He has opened his doors to us for many years, and has always been gracious about lending his time,” said Nozkowski.