2015 Vermontville Maple Syrup Festival Queen Zandra Siple is looking forward to this year’s event with a little nervousness, but mostly with excitement.
The nerves are to be expected, but she knows being the Queen will be made easier because she will have her friends by her side every step of the way.
“We are all really close friends,” Siple said of this year’s Queen’s Court, which includes Jeannie Hale, Britney Flory, Meghan Bignall and Catie Eldridge. “We’ve been able to share this experience together. It’s a lot of fun when you have the opportunity to hang out with friends.”
Siple was crowned in early February during the annual Sugaring Off event. Since then she said she and her court have been getting to know the maple syrup producers within the Vermontville Maple Syrup Corporation. Part of representing the Vermontville community as Maple Syrup Festival Queen is possessing an understanding of the Maple Syrup process.
It’s also about representing the community, which Siple said she excited about. She has already worked to become a bigger part of her community and next week’s festival is a big next step.
“I’m super excited, but I’m obviously a little nervous too,” she said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun and I’m sure everything will be awesome.”
Siple and her court will be introduced as part of the annual opening ceremonies on Friday, April 24 at 6 p.m. on the main stage downtown. The Court will also take part in the grand parade at 3 p.m. Other than that Siple said she plans to enjoy a lot of maple syrup.