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May Queen crowned in Fort 91原创

First time event has been held since the pandemic struck
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This year鈥檚 May Queen Taiya Yardley (left) with her mother Darcie Yardley, who was May queen in 1994, posed for a photo together at the Sunday, April 24 tea held at the historic Fort 91原创 Community hall. (Dan Ferguson/91原创 Advance Times)

Taiya Yardley was crowned the 2022 May Queen on Sunday, April 24, at the Royal Party Tea fundraising event held at the historic Fort 91原创 community hall.

The Grade 7 student at Coghlan school in Aldergrove will serve as queen at the 100th anniversary of the May Day parade and related community events.

鈥淚 wanted to do it because I felt it was a good leadership [role],鈥 Taiya told the Aldergrove Star.

Taiya is the second May Queen in her family 鈥 her mother, Darcie, was queen, in 1994. As well, her grandmother, Carol Olinek was a pageant nominee.

Darcie Olinek, as she was known then, was a student at Otter elementary, and remembers her time as queen as an exciting experience that opened her eyes to the value of volunteer work.

鈥淚 used to get quite a rush from public speaking and performing,鈥 Darcie remarked.

Daughter Taiya reported a similar mix of 鈥渆xcitement and nerves鈥 at becoming queen.

Her maids of honour are Aurora Amtstutz and Kathleen Dix.

Isabella Sitter was named Miss Canada.

The Queen Mother will be Judy Budo.

Held Sunday, April 24 at the historic Fort 91原创 Community hall, it was the first May Queen tea since the pandemic struck. (Dan Ferguson/91原创 Advance Times)
Held Sunday, April 24 at the historic Fort 91原创 Community hall, it was the first May Queen tea since the pandemic struck. (Dan Ferguson/91原创 Advance Times)

Because of the pandemic, which shut down the annual event for two years, outgoing queen Anna Meads ended up serving for three years.

鈥淚 would have been done by Grade 6,鈥 explained Meads.

READ ALSO: Tea a time to pick May Day royalty for Fort 91原创 parade

Former May Day flower girl Dorothy Foss-Humberstone, who has also been a queen mother, twice, arrived at the tea with her daughter and granddaughters.

Foss-Humberstone grew up in Glen Valley, one of five sisters, who have all been May Day flower girls and princesses.

Her daughter was May Day princess and granddaughters have variously been May Day queen, princess, maid of honour and flower girl at different times, while her grandsons have served as page boys.

鈥淢y family has been involved with May Day for probably 80 years,鈥 Foss-Humberston estimated.

鈥淭he parade was the biggest event of the year.鈥

Dorothy Foss-Humberstone, twice a queen mother, attended the May Queen tea on Sunday, April 24 at the historic Fort 91原创 Community hall.(Dan Ferguson/91原创 Advance Times)
Dorothy Foss-Humberstone, twice a queen mother, attended the May Queen tea on Sunday, April 24 at the historic Fort 91原创 Community hall.(Dan Ferguson/91原创 Advance Times)

Organizer Rachel McIntosh, of the May Day planning committee, said volunteers came together to make the tea happen.

鈥淵esterday, we were all making sandwiches at our houses,鈥 McIntosh told the 91原创 Advance Times.

The fine China tea cups were all donated, and are stored between events in her mother鈥檚 house.

Rachel McIntosh said volunteers came together to make the May Queen tea happen on Sunday, April 24 at the historic Fort 91原创 Community hall. (Dan Ferguson/91原创 Advance Times)
Rachel McIntosh said volunteers came together to make the May Queen tea happen on Sunday, April 24 at the historic Fort 91原创 Community hall. (Dan Ferguson/91原创 Advance Times)

Monday, May 23, will mark the 100th Anniversary of .

Plan for the first post-pandemic event call for a bigger and better parade which kicks off at 11 a.m. along with the event in the Fort 91原创 Park which runs from noon to 4 p.m. and features speeches from the May Queen and dignitaries, along with May Pole dancing, various food and other vendors, rides for the kids, mini golf and a beer garden.

It all begins with the Lions pancake breakfast at Lions Hall on 88th Avenue and Glover Road.

More photos from the May Queen tea event can be viewed on the .

READ ALSO: VIDEO: Car collectors come out in droves for drive through Fort 91原创


Have a story tip? Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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Dan Ferguson

About the Author: Dan Ferguson

Best recognized for my resemblance to St. Nick, I鈥檓 the guy you鈥檒l often see out at community events and happenings around town.
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91原创

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