Commissioners present them with a proclamation, the highest honor a city commission can bestow on its citizens.
The city commission honored the 2023 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen/Court and Junior Royalty Queen/Court with a proclamation, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon its citizens. The proclamation extols the Florida Strawberry Festival and its legacy of uniting citizens and the community as it preserves the agricultural and historical legacy of the Florida strawberry and that the crowning of the Queens and Courts is an event highlight.
This year’s Queen and Court are: Queen Kennedie Clinton, First Maid Jaida Davis and Court Members Addison Raburn, Fe Ramirez and Kaleigh Salmon. This year’s Junior Royalty Queen and Court are: Queen Madelyn Marie Hardwick, Princess Giselle Elena McDowell, Duchess Olivia Pilar McDowell and Baroness Aubrey Sweeney.
“On behalf of the entire court we’re grateful to represent our town,” said Clinton.
Before the meeting, the girls taught Commissioner Mathis the signature T-stance, also called the Pretty Feet pose, where you stand one foot behind the other, the front foot facing forward while the back foot angles at 45-degrees. “I have a special connection to some of these young ladies and their parents,” she said. “I look forward to seeing you ladies around the festival.”
Mayor Kilton congratulated them on the well-deserved honor. “This is going to be a very special time for you,” he said.
The Florida Strawberry Festival runs from Thurs., March 2 through Sun., March 12.
