Miss Pitt Meadows 2019 will finally be able to pass on the crown at the first ceremony for the Pitt Meadows Day Royal Party since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
On Saturday Emma Roberts-Ruttan, now 15, will be passing the crown onto Miss Pitt Meadows 2022 Victoria Woycheshen, a Grade 6 student at Pitt Meadows Elementary.
While Miss Pitt Meadows, Emma attended the Pitt Meadows Remembrance Day ceremony, the tree-lighting ceremony at Christmas in Pitt Meadows, and ribbon cutting for new stores.
Emma is happy she had an opportunity as Miss Pitt Meadows to attend to her duties before the onset of the pandemic in 2020.
She enjoyed the tree-lighting ceremony the most and hopes the next Miss Pitt Meadows will enjoy the role as well.
What Emma will take away with her from her reign is her new confidence at public speaking.
“You got used to speaking in front of big crowds of people,” she said.
She is looking forward to the upcoming ceremony on Saturday where she will pass on the crown.
The Royal Party is a long-standing tradition in Pitt Meadows and dates back to 1937 when the event was a May Day celebration and a May Queen was picked. However, at the time, most residents were farmers and they decided June would be a better time to hold the event.
The first Miss Pitt Meadows was crowned in 1938.
Miss Pitt Meadows and the other members of the Royal Party are selected from qualifying students who live within the City of Pitt Meadows. Members of the Royal Party range from first graders to sixth graders, all chosen by pulling their names out of a hat.
READ MORE: Miss Pitt Meadows enjoys 4H and friends
ALSO: Pitt Meadows Day turns 75
This year the members of the Royal Party are:
1st attendant: Ella Leggett, a Grade 6 student at Edith McDermott Elementary
2nd attendant: Loralynn Ozeroff, a Grade 6 student at Davie Jones Elementary
Flower attendants: Hannah Dove, a Grade 1 student at Davie Jones Elementary; Beau Garant, a Grade 1 student at Highland Park Elementary; Abigail Westrop, a Grade 1 at Highland Park Elementary; Kylie Ballinger, a Grade 2 student at Pitt Meadows Elementary; Araya Gay, a Grade 3 student at Highland Park Elementary; and Madeleine Bried, a Grade 3 student at Pitt Meadows Elementary
Record bearer: Radale Gay, a Grade 5 student at Highland Park Elementary
Medallion bearer: Juliet Garant, a Grade 4 student at Highland Park Elementary
Flag bearers: Raeesa Norton, a Grade 4 students at Pitt Meadows Elementary; and Zoë Zuboniwa, a Grade 4 student at Highland Park Elementary
This year, based on past participant feedback, the traditional Royal Party tea and dance will be on the field this year after the opening ceremonies.
”This is to allow the participants to be closer to the main event and be outside for more visibility,” explained Carleen McDowell, manager of recreation and culture with the city.
“As the dance was previously later in the day, it was a long day for the children and they wanted to be able to enjoy the day’s activities,” she said, adding that the city started planning the Royal Party ceremony during a time when there were still many COVID-19 health restrictions and wanted to ensure there was opportunity to participate and physical distance if restrictions changed.
The Royal Party ceremony will take place following the Pitt Meadows Day Parade at 12:30 p.m. during the opening ceremonies on the main stage in Harris Road Park.
Have a story tip? Email: cflanagan@mapleridgenews.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.