Ava Brocchini will end her reigns as Miss Almond Blossom Festival / Miss Ripon at tonight’s coronation ceremony in the Ripon Community Center.

“It’ll definitely be bittersweet,” said the Ripon High senior. “But at the same time, I’m excited for the new queen – I’ll be there to help her out.”

These past 12 months have been a whirlwind for Ava Brocchini, who is the daughter of Steve and Janna Brocchini.

Besides her duties as Miss Ripon, she’s also enjoyed a busy school year.

Brocchini has been involved in Leadership during her years at RHS, and was elected Senior Class President.

She’s played softball for the Indians during these past four years.

At last year’s Sac-Joaquin Division IV Playoffs, Brocchini, who served as team captain for the past two years, delivered on some big plays in the 2-0 victory over West Park of Roseville in the semifinals.

The Ripon High outfielder not only looped a single in a rally that produced a run, but tracked down a deep drive to left-center field, preserving the win for the Indians.

Brocchini was crowned Queen & Miss Ripon at the 61st annual event in the competition opened to high school juniors who either live in Ripon or attend a Ripon school.

She achieved that title thanks to her raffle ticket sales along with the judges’ interview, speech contest, fashion show, and the essay-writing contest.

Brocchini recalled that time of year ago as a surreal moment.

“I still find it hard to believe,” she said on Wednesday.

As Miss Ripon, Brocchini has attended various Ripon Chamber of Commerce events, including the new business ribbon-cutting ceremonies along with some of the bigger happenings. Among her two favorites of the latter were Main Street Days and the inaugural Porchfest, a neighborhood live music party were homeowners open up their front porches while hosting local bands.

“I enjoyed meeting all these people,” she said of her time as Miss Ripon. “I made a lot of connections and got to know a lot of public figures.”

Her goal after graduation is to attend a four-year out-of-state college or university – she plans to study Finance with the possibility of going into real estate or becoming a business owner, where she can “control her own future.”

Ava Brocchini, who was born and raised in Ripon – she attended elementary school in Modesto at Big Valley Christian School – expressed her thanks to members of the Chamber of Commerce.

They served as her guide during her entire experience as Almond Blossom Queen / Miss Ripon.

The Almond Blossom Festival schedule of events is as followed:

• Today – Bake Off, 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Ripon Community Center; Lion’s Club Spaghetti Dinner, 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m., Ripon Community Center; ABF Festival (Two Dollar Ride Night), 5 p.m.-10 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park.
• Friday, Feb. 23 – Craft & Bake Sale, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Ripon Senior Center; Festival Vender Booths Open, 2 p.m.-8 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park; ABF Festival, 4 p.m.-10 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park; Community Stage “Teen Night” (live music), 4 p.m.-8 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park; Quarterback Club Golf Tournament.
• Saturday, Feb. 24 – Ripon Grange Pancake Breakfast, 6 a.m.-10 a.m., Ripon Grange Hall; American Legion Ladies Auxiliary 190 10th annual Burrito Breakfast, 7 a.m.-12 noon, American Legion Hall; Fun Run, 8:30 a.m. (1 mile), 9 a.m. (8K), Mavis Stouffer Park; Craft & Bake Sale, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Ripon Senior Center; Immanuel CRC Bake Sale, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Festival Vendor Booths, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park; Diaper Derby, 10 a.m., Ripon High North Gym; ABF Carnival, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park; Community Stage (live music), 12 noon-8 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park, ABF Parade, 1 p.m., downtown Ripon (starting at Stockton Avenue); Quarterback Club Brats & Drinks, 1 p.m.-7 p.m., Ripon Community Center; Swiss Club Dance (must be 21 and over), 7 p.m., Swiss Club.
• Sunday, Feb. 25 – Festival Vendor Booths, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park; ABF Carnival, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park; Community Stage (live music), 12 noon-5 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park.

For more information, contact the Ripon Chamber of Commerce at 209.599.7519 or email info@riponchamber.org.