Being royalty is a lot of work, especially if you’re the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen or a member of her court.
Between the meet-and-greets, big-name concerts and other festivities, the Strawberry Festival royals need some downtime. That’s why they have a hidden place on the festival grounds, known as “The Palace,” where they can relax and get away from it all.
“It was designed to give the girls a home away from home,” Sandee Sytsma, who acted as the court chaperone and coordinator for many years, said. “The reason we don’t let too many people know where it is, is just for the safety of the girls.”
The queen and court always arrive at the festival grounds in their street clothes, but before making appearances, they get dressed at The Palace. All of their clothes are stored there during the festival, in case of last-minute wardrobe changes that might result from rain or other unseen events. Professional hair and makeup stylists prepare the girls before they go out.
The Palace is fully furnished with a reclining chair, couch, table and chairs, where the queen and court spend most of their downtime. Sometimes, the court members get in a quick power nap before heading out to their next engagement. Others use the space to do their homework.
The Palace also has five stations, one for each girl, with Hollywood-style lighting, where their hair and makeup are done.
“The moms are responsible for decorating their daughter’s space in The Palace,” Di Lott, co-chair of the queen and court, said. “A lot of people add pictures and things that they like … because they don’t see a lot of their families during the festival.”
The parents have two whole weeks to decorate. The weekend before the festival starts, there is a big “reveal day,” when the girls can invite friends and family to see their space for the first time.
2014 Strawberry Queen Jessi Rae Varnum said her mom decorated her station with Varnum’s favorite color, purple, and a corkboard, where she pinned about 50 photos of family and friends.
“Every parents did an amazing job on every station,” Varnum said. “My station had so much to do with who I was.”
Varnum said one of her favorite parts of having access to The Palace was being able to spend time with the members of the court in a private, personal space. During the festival, no one else is allowed inside except the stylists and two chaperones.
“You never have to miss an opportunity, because you’re in the action all the time, and you’re with your four best friends,” Varnum said. “It’s a really fun environment.”
— Catherine Sinclair