The process of selecting the Rhododendron Royal Court has varied throughout the years, yet continues to remain a significant highlight of the festivities even today. Early on, contestants acquired votes by selling baskets of home cooked goods (1909), bake sales, and Rhody festival button sales (introduced in 1936). In recent years demonstrations of speech, talent show performance, and community service were added to the competition. The Court now consists of a Queen, Princesses, Junior Princesses, a King and Princes (2014).
Queen Rhododendra VI
In 1913 there were 11 Rhododendron Princesses. Each represented a tribe and assigned an associated tribal name. The contestants competed for the Queen’s title by shooting three arrows to a mark 25 feet in the distance. The intensity of the competition grew with the targeted mark in full view of the audience. As each Princess took their aim, the audience held their breath with anticipation of the outcome. Scores of the arrows closest to the mark were tallied. In the end, Juanita Schroeder (aka Silver Bell) representing the Florence tribe, won with the highest score. She was declared Queen Rhododendra VI.
View more past festival stories and photographs in Florence in Full Bloom, a book of Rhododendron Festivals 1908 through 2018, available in the Museum gift shop for $18.
