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RENOVO -- In a year quite unlike any of its predecessors, the Flaming Foliage Festival returned for the 72nd annual event to the delight of thousands who descended to enjoy the Parade of Queens on Saturday.
The weekend presented many firsts, such as when Alison Davey, representing North Penn Mansfield, was announced festival queen on Saturday evening at Bucktail Area High School.
It was the first time in the event's history that the same school won back-to-back crowns. Miss North Penn Mansfield Patelin Nowak was crowned queen in 2019 and was on hand to pass over the title to the school's representative this year.
"I loved the feel from the community from the second I drove into Renovo, so I knew it was going to be a great opportunity and experience right away," said Davey, moments after being crowned. "My small town has a lot of brick buildings like Renovo. I love the small town feel, same energy, and I loved it right away."
Other winners included: Miss Williamsport Teagan Marty, first runner up and Miss Congeniality; Miss DuBois Aundalynn Aljoe, second runner up; Miss Central Mountain Madison Meeker, Miss Photogenic; and Miss South Williamsport Genesis Lukasiewicz received the Judges Memorial Award. Bellefonte escort Domenic Nelson was named Mr. Congeniality and Williamsport escort Benjamin Manetta received the Alex Rauch Memorial Award.
"I was overwhelmed at how many people showed up for being such a small town, I was really impressed with everything all day," the North Penn Mansfield representative said of her first trip to Renovo.
Both of Davey's parents had tears in their eyes watching the moments following their daughter's crowning. Both said their daughter is more than deserving of such an experience.
"She's a great daughter, I'm super proud of her. She's always going above and beyond," said her mother, Andrea. "She volunteers, does great academically, loves people, and she's just a great kid."
Davey's dad, Todd, bragged about his daughter's sense of humor and skills with bow hunting, and noted that even her bargaining is top notch for her age.
"I told her recently that she wasn't allowed to move out and she told me if we buy her a cow she might consider staying longer," he said. Although Davey did not say whether or not a cow was in the family's future, it would be safe to say it was at least a consideration as he proudly watched his daughter posing for pictures at the close of the night.
Coronation has typically been held on Sunday afternoons of Flaming Foliage weekend. But as committee members had to make decisions as far back as January, a shortened version was planned, mainly eliminating host families and keeping the contestants and their escorts in town for just one day for this year's event.
Parade watchers ascended to the streets for Saturday's parade like in years past. Chairs began appearing along the streets more than a week ago as anticipating people marked their spots. Rain had been forecasted for Saturday for much of the week, but as the day finally arrived with only a quick shower ending by 9 a.m. and a light drizzle just before noon. Neither had any effect on the events or the atmosphere in Renovo.