Asparagus queen candidates pick asparagus during tour

– Submitted photo/The 2025 Asparagus Queen candidates include: Kaitlyn Sutton, Shelby Purdy, Claire Gowell, Haley Walsworth and Olivia Porter. The queen and runner up will be selected June 7 and crowned June 13.

WEARE TOWNSHIP — The National Asparagus Festival queen candidates recently toured the West Michigan Research Station, and under the guidance of Justin Adams, the women learned about the local asparagus industry. 

The queen candidates had the opportunity to pick asparagus — a process that requires coordination and technique.

– Submitted photo

From a candidate field of 11, the judges narrowed the candidates down to a group of five semi-finalists: Claire Gowell, Olivia Porter, Shelby Purdy, Kaitlyn Sutton and Haley Walsworth.

The Asparagus queen candidates will meet with the judges panel, June 7, and the 2025 National Asparagus Queen and Runner-up will be selected and announced. The queen and runner-up will be crowned Friday evening, June 13, during a free concert at the Oceana County Fairgrounds in Hart.

The National Asparagus Festival is set for the weekend of June 13-15, with the Joan Glover Royal Parade scheduled for Saturday, June 14, at 2 p.m. in Hart.

Previous queens throughout the history of the National Asparagus Festival:

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

– Submitted photo

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

– Submitted photo

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

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