Crowned in Strawberry Season
Two queens, decades apart, reflect on how a community tradition has grown and changed
By Glenda Graves, Communications Specialist
Delois Patterson
Strawberry Festival Queen, 1958
Delois Patterson
When Delois Patterson entered the 1958 contest, every girl dressed exactly the same — blue jeans, a crisp white shirt and a western hat. There were no flashy gowns, just young women sponsored by local berry growers standing before judges on the bandstand.
“You had to be sponsored by a berry grower,” Delois said. “I was sponsored by my grandfather, John Mathews.”
Judges moved from contestant to contestant, asking different questions and awarding points based on the answers. Delois recalls being asked about picking berries, a fitting question for a farm girl who understood the work behind the celebration.
“For me, being a country girl and not really being confident in myself, it was such an honor to be chosen,” she said. “I competed with several of the girls from town.”
The night before the contest, Delois stayed with her best friend who lived in town so she could walk to the bandstand the next morning. Her family wasn’t present for the competition, a reminder of a simpler time. Still, decades later, she smiles when she talks about being crowned Strawberry Queen.
Strawberry Festival Queen, 2003
Laura Ketcher Lundberg
Laura Ketcher Lundberg
When Laura Ketcher Lundberg was crowned Strawberry Festival Queen in 2003, the pageant looked much different than it had decades earlier. The western hats and identical outfits were gone. In their place were interviews, talent, evening gowns and a focus on confidence and poise.
“I loved getting to serve my community,” Laura said. “It was a really big blessing.” Unlike earlier years, contestants no longer had to be sponsored by a berry grower. Still, Laura’s connection to the fields was personal. She grew up picking strawberries each summer, often for Mr. Kane, to earn spending money.
“You learned interview skills and public speaking — skills you could use beyond that experience,” she said. “It helped with scholarship applications and job interviews. It really prepared you.”
Serving as queen meant reading to elementary students, participating in Kiwanis events and representing the community throughout the year.
“Just getting to interact with the community in that role, knowing you were setting a good example and being a positive role model for young kids, that meant a lot,” Laura said.