Asparagus queen pageant canceled

Asparagus Queen 2023 Emma Woller and Runner Up Chelsi Walicki

HART — For the first time in nearly 50 years — with the exception of 2020 due to COVID-19 — a new Asparagus Queen will not be crowned for the National Asparagus Festival.

Organizers announced that no one was interested in running for the queen title this year, so the pageant had to be canceled.

“The 2024 Queen’s Pageant has officially been canceled,” states a NAF Facebook post Thursday, April 25. “This was not an easy decision, but due to no applicants, we are unable to crown a new queen. This will hopefully influence our community to volunteer to join the planning committee and help build/rebuild the board, so we can plan for a strong 2025 Queen Program.”

Hart Mayor Vicki Platt, the 2017 Asparagus Queen, participates in the 2022 parade.

“Each year, the National Asparagus Festival hosts a beautiful pageant and crowns the only Asparagus Queen in the country,” states the NAF website. “The Asparagus Queen travels the state of Michigan promoting the asparagus industry of Oceana County, and encouraging Michiganders to support our local agriculture industry. All of the exposure and support goes back to the farmers who produce this wonderful vegetable we’re known for.”

This year’s asparagus festival is scheduled for Saturday, June 8. The parade begins at 2 p.m.

History of Asparagus Royalty

Asparagus Queen 2023- Emma Woller

Asparagus Queen 2022- Grace Huffman

Asparagus Queen 2021- Tara Oomen

Asparagus Queen 2019- Alysha Sullivan

Asparagus Queen 2018 – Kendra Larios-Mendez

Asparagus Queen 2017 – Vicki Platt

Asparagus Queen 2016 – Mary Harris

Asparagus Queen 2015 ~ Courtney Kokx

Asparagus Queen 2014 ~ Danielle Kokx

Asparagus Queen 2013 ~ Amanda Dodge

Ms. Asparagus 2012 ~ Del Merrill

Mrs. Asparagus 2011 ~ Megan Roskam

Mrs. Asparagus 2010 ~ Kimberly Morden

Mrs. Asparagus 2009 ~ Bethann Riggs

Mrs. Asparagus 2008 ~ Michele Amstutz

Mrs. Asparagus 2007 ~ Heather Green

Mrs. Asparagus 2006 ~ Ann Dold

Mrs. Asparagus 2005 ~ Stephanie Wildey

Mrs. Asparagus 2004 ~ Kendra Masunas

Mrs. Asparagus 2003 – December Saucedo-Gonzalez

Mrs. Asparagus 2002 ~ Sonya Hernandez-Joslin

Mrs. Asparagus 2001 ~ Sarah Short

Mrs. Asparagus 2000 ~ Linda Jonseck

Mrs. Asparagus 1999 ~ Susan Tubbs

Mrs. Asparagus 1998 ~ Starr Yoder

Mrs. Asparagus 1997 ~ Kathy Grantz

Mrs. Asparagus 1996 ~ Beth LaPorte

Mrs. Asparagus 1995 ~ Cheryl Arcello

Mrs. Asparagus 1994 ~ Michelle Monroe

Mrs. Asparagus 1993 ~ Lorena Lindgren

Mrs. Asparagus 1992 ~ Stacia Andres-Mooi

Mrs. Asparagus 1991 ~ Tina Collier Houser

Mrs. Asparagus 1990 ~ Kathy Carter

Mrs. Asparagus 1989 ~ N. Joy Hamilton

Mrs. Asparagus 1988 ~ Barbara Sheren

Mrs. Asparagus 1987 ~ Lynn Glaser

Mrs. Asparagus 1986 ~ Mary Ellen Rapes

Mrs. Asparagus 1985 ~ Rebecca Wentzloff

Mrs. Asparagus 1984 ~ Barbara Schultz

Mrs. Asparagus 1983 ~ Denise Crum

Mrs. Asparagus 1982 ~ Carol Waller

Mrs. Asparagus 1981 ~ Mary Ann Carey

Mrs. Asparagus 1980 ~ Brenda Ricksgers

Mrs. Asparagus 1979 ~ Jackie Spierenburg

Mrs. Asparagus 1978 ~ Penny Dawson

Mrs. Asparagus 1977 ~ Phyllis Slocum

Mrs. Asparagus 1976 ~ Joan Lund

Mrs. Asparagus 1975 ~ Maxine Huggard