PORT TOWNSEND — The two candidates for Rhododendron Festival queen say they plan to gain experience and education outside of Jefferson County and eventually return to start a business or family.
“I want to travel enough to get a feeling about the world,” said 17-year-old Briel Kilham, a senior at Port Townsend High School.
“Everyone is so nice in Port Townsend,” she added. “It is a community and a family.”
Said Chimacum High School senior Krista Hathaway, also 17: “I love everyone here.
“The community has given so much to me, so I want to return and give some of it back.”
One of the two will be crowned queen while the other is crowned princess at the coronation at
6 p.m. Saturday at the Chimacum High School auditorium, 91 West Valley Road.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Admission is $5 per person or $20 for a family of four or more.
The queen will receive a $1,500 scholarship and the princess one worth $1,000.
The coronation is the first event leading up to the 77th annual Rhododendron Festival, scheduled May 14-19 in Port Townsend, with the Grand Parade planned at 1 p.m. May 19.
Melanie Bozak, who is co-president with Christie Hensley, said the festival has a lot of meaning to people who have grown up in the area.
“It’s a family event that people can celebrate all week long,” she said.
“We hear over and over how people come back here for the festival,” she added.
“There are a lot of family reunions there, and it is a reflection of pride in the community.”
The festival’s financial condition has improved since 2011, she said.
“We are doing a lot better now than we were this time last year,” Bozak said.
“Last year’s fundraising activities left us in better shape than we expected.”
One year ago, the float was in dire need of repair and the funds to make it happen, but several anonymous and high-profile donations provided the fixes.
At that time, it was unsure whether the float would travel to other festivals.
This year, about a dozen appearances have been scheduled throughout the region.
The Rhody float acts as an ambassador to parades throughout the state, while other communities participate in the Port Townsend event as part of a cultural exchange.
Bozak said she did not know how much it cost to put on the festival and parade but estimated it was more than $20,000.
There are several fundraisers planned, including the third annual “Dude Looks Like a Lady” event where male community leaders dress as women and dance for tips.
“Dude Looks Like a Lady” is set for May 12 at the Elks Club, 555 Otto St.
There also are some events planned for the summer “so we can be raising money all year,” Bozak said.
Some support comes from the members of the royalty themselves, since each contestant is required to raise $1,500 to finance her costume and incidentals.
This is the second year $1,500 has been the fundraising goal. Before that, it was $500.
Bozak said the fundraising requirement was an equalizer, allowing contestants who do not come from a well-to-do family to participate.
The girls earn points, which are combined with scores of their talent presentation and judges’ interview at the coronation program.
Both contestants aspired to Rhody royalty at a young age.
“When I was 5 years old, I had two goals: to be the Rhody queen and a waitress.” Lapham said.
“I am on the way to becoming a waitress [at the Public House], so I decided to run.”
Her goals go beyond waitressing.
She now hopes to get a college degree and then return to Port Townsend and establish a foundation that will provide advice to families about diabetes treatment and control.
Kilham, who is the daughter of Amy and Toby Kilham of Port Townsend, has four sisters, Emri, 12; Jazmine, 11; Adelaide, 10; Malia, 7; and brother Hayzen, 1.
Hathaway hopes to get a degree as a dental technician and then create a foundation that will provide low-cost treatment to families who cannot afford care.
She has “grown up with the festival” so was eager to participate at the first opportunity.
She is the daughter of Sabrina and Jeff Hathaway of Port Ludlow and has one sister, Kaycee, 20.
On Saturday, current Queen Emma King and Princesses Carley Lundgren and Abigail Green will perform their final duties on coronation night as they crown the incoming royalty members and say their farewells.
Patrick Kane will serve as master of ceremonies, and Juanita Maples is coronation chairwoman.
Five junior princesses and one prince also will be crowned. They are Madison Harris, Sage Arce, Madison Burgess, Anastazija Gossett, Natalie Lont and Mason Beal.
Greta Gamble will be crowned as a member of the queen’s court.
Senior kings and queens are Bill and Sandy Dengler, chosen by the Port Townsend Senior Association, and Harold Rennick and Louise Barcelou, representing the Tri-Area.
A reception will follow the coronation in the Chimacum High School commons.
Donations for the events were received from First Federal Auditing Services, Holly’s Fine Flowers, Petals Flower Boutique, Lisa’s Jewelry and Port Townsend Paper Corp.
For information, phone Hensley at 360-301-0783 or Bozak at 360-531-1329, or email rhodyfest@gmail.com.
The festival website is at www.rhodyfest.org.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
