Ten local girls took that first step last week towards becoming Miss Almond Blossom Festival 2024.

The princess candidates for the title of reigning over the 62nd annual Almond Blossom Festival – scheduled from Feb. 22 through Feb. 25 – are Brooklyn Ballard, Madeline Curtiss, Arabella Hoit, Tiffani Hunter, Kamalpreet Kaur, Emma O’Laughlin, Gabriella Torres, Joyce Wall, Abigail Wilson, and Siana Zaklan.

They took part in the annual speech contest held Jan. 11 at the Ripon City Hall Council Chambers.

“The speeches revolved around some aspects of the South San Joaquin Irrigation District,” said Ripon Chamber of President Kelly Donohue at the kick-off event honoring this year’s grand marshal.

She noted that the Chamber board of director selected SSJID for its 115 years of service to the area.

The theme of this year ABF is “Watering the roots of Ripon since 1909” – SSJID, during that span, has provided a reliable and economical source of irrigation water for agricultural purposes in and around Ripon, Manteca, and Escalon.

The speech contest consisted of the princess candidates sharing information about SSJID, from history to fun facts.

Ripon resident Peter Reitkirk, who as general manager represented SSJID, received the grand marshal plaque from Chamber board president Susan Green earlier in the kick-off event.

For Ava Brocchini, who was crowned last year’s ABF queen, the past year was memorable.

She also served as Miss Ripon, which comes with the title of ABF queen.

Brocchini attended the various functions around town while forging friendships within the community.

She was on hand to provide support for the next Miss Almond Blossom Festival / Miss Ripon.

Next up for the candidates is the fashion show, with the winner being announced next month.