July 22 & 23, 2023 Blueberry Fest Royalty Contest Open to Boys and Girls
Application forms are now available for the Iron River Lions Club Blueberry Fest Royalty Contest. Both boys and girls can compete in the event. Queen and King contestants must be between the ages of 13 and 20. Princess and Prince contestants must be between the ages of 6 and 12, and will compete in a separate category. One candidate will win in each age category. All contestants earn a portion of their raffle ticket sales for their hard work. Applicants need not be residents of Iron River but should have some connection to the area. Winners will represent the Iron River Lions Club in area parades in the coming year promoting the annual Blueberry Festival. Application forms are available below and at the Iron River Library, Pizza Parlor, Iron River Chamber of Commerce. For more information call Lion Julie Peck at 218-390-5674.
Miss Wisconsin
Lila Szyryj
Will make a special guest appearance Saturday, July 22, 4-8 p.m. Miss Wisconsin will emcee the Coronation of the Blueberry Royalty at 7 p.m.
Blueberry Queen 2023 Candidates
Elvira Bernal, age 15, is a candidate for Blueberry Queen. Her parents are Tara and Zachariah Albert of Bayfield. Elvira will be entering the 11th grade at Bayfield High School in the fall. Her favorite subjects in school are art, history, and Native American Culture. She enjoys playing volleyball and was awarded a serving star in the sport. Elvira is also on the ski team. It’s plain to see that she loves playing sports and also enjoys beading. In the future she would like to be a veterinarian.
Memphis Laakonen, age 13, is a candidate for Blueberry Fest queen. Her parents are Richard and Lyndsey Laakonen of Ashland. Memphis will be entering the 8th grade at Ashland Middle School in the fall. Her favorite school subjects are math, science, and choir. She lists cross country, wrestling, volleyball, track and field, and softball as her favorite school activities. Memphis has been a 5-time state wrestling qualifier. As busy as she is, in her spare time she enjoys hunting, hiking, upcycling clothes, sports, hanging out with friends and traveling. After graduating from high school, she plans to go on to college to become a traveling nurse.
Angelina Castellano, age 19, is a candidate for Blueberry Queen. She is the daughter of James and Catrina Castellano of Drummond. Angelina is a 2022 graduate of Drummond High School. While in high school she was active in drama and choir activities. Her favorite things to do are singing, writing and photography. Angelina has won gold medals in school ensemble, outstanding actor, and choral awards. She has recently been in productions with the Chequamegon Theater Association. Her future plans include continuing with her acting career with CTA and other larger theaters.
Blueberry Princess 2023 Candidates
Abby Ronchi, age 9, is a candidate for Blueberry Fest princess. Abby is the daughter of Dave and Steph Ronchi of Poplar and attends Northwestern Elementary School. She will be in the 4 th grade in the fall. Abby’s favorite subject in school is math and she participates in basketball, dance, and softball. Dancing, swimming, biking, playing, and basketball are the activities she most enjoys. When Abby grows up she would like to be a doctor or a teacher.
Adela Hackman, candidate for princess is 9 years old and will be entering 4 th grade at Iron River Elementary School in the fall. She is the daughter of Jessica Rux and Tyler Hackman. Art, P.E., Math, and Science are among her favorite school subjects. She names basketball as a favorite school activity and has won awards in the sport. In her spare time Adela likes to bake, plant, read, do crafts and swim. In the future, she would like to be a gymnast.
Madalynn Jackson, princess candidate, is the daughter of Elizabeth & Tyler Jackson. Their family resides in Lake Nebagamon. Madalynn is 9 years old and will be entering the 3 rd grade at Northwestern Elementary School in the fall. Her favorite subject in school is reading and she also enjoys art, library and media. During her spare time Madalynn enjoys swimming, dancing, and playing with friends. Her future plans include being an archaeologist or doctor.
Maggie Moe, daughter of Christiana and Christopher Moe is a candidate for Blueberry Princess. Maggie is 6 years old and will be entering the first grade at South Shore Elementary in the fall. She and her family are residents of Iron River. Her favorite subject in school is art. In her spare time Maggie enjoys doing art projects, hiking, dancing, and playing games. In her future she would like to be a ninja and an archaeologist.
Brandy Mae Pratt-Albert, age 11 ½, of Bayfield, is a candidate for Blueberry Princess. Tara and Zachariah Albert are her parents. Brandy will be entering the 6th grade at Bayfield Middle School in the fall. Math, art and Native American Culture are her favorite classes in school. She also enjoys basketball, wrestling, volleyball, choir, and band. She has won the “troller award” in volleyball. Brandy loves playing sports, farming, reading to Kindergarteners, riding bikes, swimming, doing hair and make-up. This princess candidate has high aspirations as she hopes to attend Harvard and become a brain surgeon.
Anastasia Higgs, princess candidate, is the daughter of Debby Falk and resides in Iron River. She is ten years old and will be entering the 5 th grade at Iron River Elementary School in the fall. Anastasia’s favorite subject in school is art and she enjoys doing artistic things in her spare time too. She enjoys playing basketball on the Iron River team and received a “best defense” award this year. After graduation from high school Anastasia would like to go to college and pursue an acting career.
Blueberry King 2023 Candidates
Gavin Olson, son of Chris and Shelly Olson is a candidate for Blueberry Fest King. Gavin is 15 and will be in the 10 th grade at Washburn High School in the fall. His favorite subject in school is physical education and he enjoys football, skiing, hunting, and fishing in his spare time. Gavin won the title of Blueberry Fest King in 2022. His future plans include attending trade school to learn welding.
Tristan Phillips, age 13, of Iron River is a candidate for Blueberry Fest king. He is the son of Dan and Jess Phillips. Tristin will be a freshman at Northwestern High School in the fall. Math and physical ed. are his favorite subjects in school. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing, hunting, and biking. Tristan has been a winner numerous times at the Blueberry Fest tractor pulls. His future includes plans to be an astrophysicist.
Logan Gilbert is a candidate for Blueberry King. Logan, son of Leon (Sam) Gilbert, is 15 years old and will be in the 10 th grade at Washburn High School in the fall. His favorite subject in school is math and he participates in football and skiing. In his spare time Logan likes to ride his 4-wheeler, ride dirt bikes and ski. He has won several awards in both football and skiing. At the present time his future plans are undetermined.
Gage Olson, age 13, is a candidate for Blueberry King. He is the son of Chris and Shelly Olson of Iron River. Gage will be entering the 8 th grade at Washburn Middle School in the fall where his favorite subject is science. When at school, Gage participates in basketball and skiing. In his spare time he enjoys fishing, hunting and biking. He has won numerous awards while participating in Boy Scouts. In the future, Gage plans to attend trade school to become a plumber.
Blueberry Prince 2023 Candidates
Nolan Anderson, son of Lori and Bob Anderson is a candidate for Blueberry prince. He is 10 years old and will be entering the 6 th grade at Northwestern Middle School in the fall. Math and gym are Nolan’s favorite subjects in school. Sports are clearly an important part of his life as in his spare time he enjoys playing hockey, swimming, playing football, golfing, downhill skiing, and fishing. Nolan has had numerous achievements and won many trophies with his hockey team. His plans for the future include succeeding in middle school, growing in his hockey career, and learning a lot in his first year of football.
