UPDATE: Pepper Fest's royal representatives are crowned
Taylor Haslup is the 2012 queen; Lucas Prause is the king. Anna Johnson and Nicole Stagg were crowned princesses. The coronation on a stage across the street from the North Hudson Village Hall attracted an audience of several hundred.By: Randy Hanson, Hudson Star-Observer
- 2012 Pepper Fest royalty
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The North Hudson Pepper Festival’s royal representatives for the coming year were crowned Sunday afternoon, near the end of this year’s celebration.
The coronation on a stage set up across the street from the village hall attracted an audience of several hundred, including royalty from neighboring communities.
Taylor Haslup was selected by the team of three judges to be the 2012 Pepper Fest queen. She is the daughter of Lynn and Mitch Haslup and will be a junior at Hudson High School this year. Her sponsor was The Nova restaurant and wine bar.
Selected as the 2012 princesses were Anna Johnson, daughter of Troy and Jen Johnson, and Nicole Stagg, daughter of Tim and Jody Stagg. Also Hudson High juniors, they were sponsored by Tangled Salon & Spa and Knoke's Chocolates, respectively.
Hudson native and now North Hudson resident Lucas Prause was named the 2012 Pepper Fest king.
Prause, a 1999 Hudson High School graduate, said he is looking forward to being a goodwill ambassador for the Pepper Festival at area community celebrations over the coming year.
He works for a Northeast Minneapolis automotive company.
Seven young women vied for the title of queen or princess. Tiffany Houman, Katie Barber, Kayla Van Allen and Olivia Bjerstedt also were candidates.
They appeared in formal gowns and answered a question for the judges.
The new queen was asked to name the scariest movie she had ever seen. “Dead Silence,” she replied. The dolls in the film were creepy.
In introducing Haslup, coronation host Skip Ballard said she is involved in cheerleading, her church and volunteer work. Her positive attitude makes it easy to be around her, said Ballard, the 2002 Pepper Fest king.
Amanda Johnson, a 2005 Pepper Fest princess, was Ballard’s co-host.
The 2011 royalty -- King Leigh Halvorsen, Queen Brooke Dierks and princesses Makenzie McGraw and Jennifer Johnson -- were introduced at the beginning of the ceremony.
Each gave a farewell address that included highlights of the past year representing the Pepper Fest in numerous parades and community celebrations.
King Halvorsen made his farewell a comedy act, pulling supposed memorabilia from parades from a box and using it to poke fun at the other royalty.
A special tribute was given to royalty coordinator Becky Lyksett, who is stepping down after many years of organizing the appearances of Pepper Fest courts.
Lyksett received hugs and good wishes from many former royalty members.
Kathy Wente and Michelle Ortner were the candidate coordinators for the pageant.
The gowns were provided by Therese Bryant and Hudson Flower Shop furnished the bouquets.
Tags: north hudson, communities, entertainment
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