Program History. (Above: 1941 Queen of the Lakes Evan Brunson). Miss Anoka: Tracey (Richards) Herold During the 1950s, the Queen of the Lakes traveled more than 100,000 miles annually! Erin represented Anoka at the Minneapolis Aquatennial in July of 2008. When 2019 Miss Hutchinson Erika Tillmann passed on her crown this past June, it turned out her time as royalty was not yet finished. Ambassadors: Abby Johnson | Lex Eix | Karlye Garrison Cloud, Queen of the Lakes Pamela Jo Albinson Anoka, Princess Darlene Anderson St. Louis Park, Queen of the Lakes Judy Mellin Colby Miss Flame, Princess Judith Nelson Mattison Svenskarnas Dag, Princess Marlene Rignell Rachie East Minneapolis, Queen of the Lakes Gail Nygaard Anderson Willmar, Princess Marsha Gaviser Miss U. of M. Engineers Day. Aquatennial queens and queen candidates were given boat rides by MPS members for the first time. The threat of the program ending was at risk as no one was stepping forward to take charge. Princesses: Pamela Mason | Shelly (Heinen) Ferris While representing the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis as the Uptown Commercial Clubs official Miss Uptown Aquatennial candidate, Judy lived with her parents in nearby St. Louis Park. Cloud, Queen of the Lakes Marilyn Lindstrom Joliffe - Army, Queen of the Lakes Nancy Thom Engelbert* - Womens Army Corps, Queen of the Lakes Patty Carlson Manheim Coast Guard, Queen of the Lakes Barbara Matson Woodward - Navy, Queen of the Lakes Vivian Hofstad Semple Miss Sears Robuck Company, 1941 - Visit and Take Part in the 1941 Aquatennial, Queen of the Lakes Eva Brunson Steiner Miss Northwestern Bell*, Queen of the Lakes Joyce Moen Herrick* Fergus Falls. . A Minneapolis resident, she continued to serve the community over the years as a member and volunteer of several organizations including the Jones-Harrison Residence, the Woman's Club of Minneapolis and Golden Valley Federated Women's Club. Above: Mike Hogans oversized clown shoes were part of the gift to Hennepin History Museum that included his Aqua Jester trunk and coat. Her passion is in mentoring young ladies, as evidenced by serving three years with the Hope For Tomorrow program: a mentorship program for 8th grade girls. Crowned along with her was Miss Hutchinson Jacyln Auger, who was also named a . The decision was made not to replace her that year. In 1961, Mr. & Mrs. Rex Erickson decided to bring back the Miss Anoka Contest after over a decade since the last choosing of a king and queen, when the contestants were elementary school students. Memorials can also be made online at www.aquatennialambassadors.com/scholarship. 2023 Aquatennial Crew; APPEARANCES; . Jun 8, 2021. File: Queen of the Lakes, Helen Jane Stoffer, Aquatennial Commodore Evald C. Bank and President, Theodore B. Knudson . Princesses: Lynanne McCrady | Vicki Frank. Tzvetelina Pramatarov- Minneapolis Aquatennial Princess 2008 & Minneapolis Aquatennial Miss Congeniality. Princesses: Angela Kalkbrenner | Kay Mitteness . Ambassadors: Chloe Reimringer | Lauren (Springer) Sieben | Skylar Baranowski . Hennepin County, and World War II history can be viewed in Special Collections at Minneapolis Central Library. A history of royalty . Princesses: Connie (Jedneak) High | Mindy Kennen | Karla (Heinen) Anderla. Princesses: Melanie Kalbow | Jennifer (Foss) Gilliland Claire will represent Anoka at the Minneapolis Aquatennial in July of 2023. Karen Morrison, Miss U.S.A. was a special guest at the coronation. . UPDATE: Just weeks before giving up her crown for Miss Cokato, reigning royalty Emily McConkey was crowned an Aquatennial princess at the Aquatennial Queen of the Lakes coronation at the Tedd Mann Concert Hall at the University of Minnesota Campus Friday evening. Marianne Muehlbauer and Linda Stuart-Julig chaperoned Gretchen to Japan in 1995. MISSION & HISTORY; LEADERSHIP; AAO SHOP; AAO NEWS; AMBASSADORS. Crystal, Mariah, & Kelli were the first group in Anokas history of royalty to reign as equally serving ambassadors. The lavish Aqua Follies-held each year at Thedore Wirth Pool in Wirth Park-was the centerpiece of this glitzy civic extravaganza. Wold had an entire week of events, judging and personal and . It may be time for the younger generation to try and break the stereotype of scary clowns by joining these groups to keep this historical tradition going. Minneapolis, MN 55458. 4-34. Lisa Franxman has extensive knowledge earned over 20 plus years in the banking and finance industry. In 2015 she was the Hutchinson High School Homecoming Queen. The Minneapolis Aquatennial Ambassador Organization (AAO) is a nonprofit Section 501(c)(3) public charity focusing on Community, Leadership and Scholarship . Miss Anoka: Pamela Jo Albsinson Young single women representing cities and companies across the state gather in Minneapolis each year to compete for the opportunity to serve on the Aquatennial royal court. . Pamela was killed in a car accident during her reign. Full bios can be found, Copyright 2022 Minneapolis Aquatennial Ambassador Organization (AAO) |. The Anoka Royal Ambassador Program attracted a record number of candidates. Sonja Weiler - Candidates. Princesses: Eileen Enge | Kathy Purcell. Miss Anoka: Marcia (Fisher) Brennan Then our dresses were placed over the contraption. To Pamelas surprise, she was crowned Miss Anoka from the 19 candidates. She was no stranger to royalty; she was Robbinsdales high school homecoming queen. Were not sure if a coronation pageant took place this year. She graduated from University of Minnesota and is involved as the Academic Advisor of her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta at the U of MN. The Minneapolis Aquatennial Collection consists of 7 boxes, 18 additional volumes of both scrapbooks and photobooks, and 1 oversize folder documenting the Minneapolis Aquatennial from 1940 to the present. Waterama History. The members of the Minnesota Apparel Industries had provided Judy with an entire wardrobe suitable for such international royal travels. The program ended up attracting 25 candidates for the 2004 festival. 3 (Summer 1989): 23-27. Diane, Kathy,and Karen reigned over 1967 Anoka Halloween and 1968 AnokaHalloween. Molly represented Anoka at the Minneapolis Aquatennial in July of 2010. Location: Ukrainian Event Center, 301 Main St. NE. She is currently the Market President for MidCountry Bank in Hastings where she is a natural leader and intentional about building long-term relationships. In her free time, Lisas energy and passion translates to a life full of family, friends, and a love for the great outdoors. Ambassadors: Molly Grailer | Jessica (Nordberg) Kankelfitz | Allie Skaalerud Miss Anoka: Lynn Johana (Danz) Kaye The behind the scenes of a national drag queen contest in New York City, including the rehearsals leading up to the contest, the conversations in the dressing room and the jealousies that emerge before and after the competition. in Eden Prairie. Included in this collection is a photographic record of the legendary Aquatennial Queen of the Lakes. The Aquatennial is the official civic celebration of Minneapolis which is held annually during the third full week of July. Story. Nichelle Hackert had the exciting task of crowning her friend at the Queen of the Lakes Coronation. 2017 - The Best Days of Summer. The Minneapolis Aquatennial Ambassador Organization (AAO) is a Minnesota nonprofit and a Section 501 (c) (3) public charity. Mo was born in Minneapolis to George B. Wagner and Luverne Alice Wagner. Forster, a 2008 graduate of Delano High School, is the . Kristi completed her time with Anoka in October of 1989 and was a candidate for Queen of the Lakes in July of 1990 where she was crowned the 1991 Aquatennial Princess. Founded in 1956, it is one of the longest running community festivals in Minnesota. Marilyn fondly recalls in an article recruiting queen candidates in the paper,The day Pam Albinson retired as Miss Anoka and placed the crown on myhead was one of the proudest days of my life.. The Aquatennial Ambassador Organization is a dynamic development organization that inspires young Minnesota women to achieve extraordinary futures. Earlier in the week, the 2023 Commodore and Captains were revealed: Scott Swenson will serve as Commodore; Lisa Franxman and Tammy McCanna will be Captains. learn about Minneapolis' history at the Mill City Museum, enjoy a morning at the Mill City Farmers Market or a leisurely afternoon at Gold Medal Park. The very next day the 1967 Anoka Royalty was selected. 1960 Queen of the Lakes Gail Nygaard originally served as Miss Willmar although at the time of her coronation her family had relocated to Minneapolis, where her father was minister of Simpson Methodist Church. Community involvement has been a big part of Scotts life. Alyssa represented Anoka at the Minneapolis Aquatennial in July of 2009. During the 1940s, the Aquatennial Queen of Lakes rules were clear: married women were not eligible to run for or to hold the title of Queen of the Lakes. Queen Annette received a $200 wardrobe, $100 scholarship, four days at the St. Paul Winter Carnival, and nine days at the Minneapolis Aquatennial. Not pictured: Lisa Franxman Commodore Scott Swenson Scott prides himself on being a family first man, he has been married for thirty-six years to . Princesses: Janae Foss | Lynn Marie Reiners Photo courtesy Pam Albinson . 1972 The present 20 by 60 ft. pavilion was built with a steel frame on a cement base. They crowned the 1969 royalty during the 1968 festival. Maria & Tom Jenson chaperoned Neysa and Sara (1995) to Japan in 1997. In Hennepin History, vol. Princesses: Carrie (Erickson) Carlson | Kari (Smith) Rusert. Thats just a handful of photographs from our extensive collection of materials related to all aspects of the Aquatennial, including its Queen of the Lakes program. It's map Monday. Camps and classes such as the Mooseburger Clown Arts Camp and the Clowning Around class at Lakewood Community College were created to train aspiring performers. A photo of the float in the 1965 Minneapolis Aquatennial Grande Day Parade was found with Cindynamed on the float as Miss Anoka and Nancy named on the float as aprincess. Early Queens were typically sponsored by businesses; in 1970, the switch was made to candidates representing communities. She wears her fathers Vice Commodore patch in his memory on her right sleeve. If youve ever thought of donning a red nose and some oversized shoes, this may be your time to shine. Young single women representing cities and companies across the state gather in Minneapolis each year to compete for the opportunity to serve on the Aquatennial royal court. 1950 Portrait Jean Johnson Aquatennial Queen Mary Kay LeMire 8x10 Vintage Photo. 2022 Aqua Crew. Princesses: Erin (Boelter) Dennie | Amy Smith A card was found that was sent from Cindy to the Ericksons, expressing gratitude for their support during Aquatennial. Kate represented Anoka at the Minneapolis Aquatennial, Ambassadors: Nichelle Hackert | Sarah (Beck-Esmay) Hoover | Christina (McSherry) Johnson Recent Boards {{ board.name }} {{ board.total_asset_count }} View all Boards View all Sets . The menu is always the same: Minikahda chicken salad and sticky rolls. Hennepin History Museum is home to the historic Aquatennial collection. Its unknown why Miss Anoka, Nancy (Lyke) Kneefe didnt represent Anoka at the Minneapolis Aquatennial. Hennepin History Museum is home to an extensive historic Aquatennial collection. Again, the Miss Anoka Pageant was put off until 1961 when PamAlbinson was selected in the summer. Preserving and maintaining the Historic Aquatennial Collection takes resources and money. candidates' families and friends, city . 612-870-1329 | [email protected]. Ambassadors: Christine Johnson | Laura (Tkachenko) Nereson Katie represented Anoka at the Minneapolis Aquatennial in July of 2004. More info. Remembering Aquatennial's First Queen, Eva Brunson Steiner, For more information about the Minneapolis Aquatennial Ambassador Organization, please visit, Copyright 2022 Minneapolis Aquatennial Ambassador Organization (AAO) |. Learn more about their professional, community and social lives in their bios below. Miss Dominion of Canada, Deborah Tone, was a guest at the coronation. Miss Anoka: Melinda (Biers) Reeder The 1963 coronation ceremony was held on Tuesday, July 30. In those formative years, he dreamed of building a milk carton boat for the Aquatennial Boat Races. This marked the first year of acting leadership by Katrina Funder. Princesses: Maria Lindberg | Michelle Gustafson As the first Aquatennial Queen of the Lakes to reign over the festival, she embodied the Aquatennial spirit; being both regal and graceful. 1995-96 Northeast Minneapolis Royalty. Community celebrations are special to Scott. Caitlin is a current Augsburg student where she is majoring in history with a Medieval History minor. The selection team considered a variety of criteria including professionalism, public speaking ability, current and future goals, education and co-curricular/extracurricular activities. 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