Bud Prince & Princess Pageant – Children between the ages of 6 & 9 are eligible to participate in the pageant. The Bud Prince & Princess serve as Grand Marshals of the Youth Parade & participate in many other Blossomtime events.
Miss Junior Teen Blossomtime Pageant – Girls between the ages of 10 & 12 are eligible to participate in this pageant & participate in many Blossomtime Events.
Miss Teen Blossomtime Pageant – Young ladies between the ages of 13 & 15 participate in this pageant and represent the festival in many activities.
Blossomtime Fashion Show – The Fashion Show highlights each of the queens prior to the pageants & features apparel from all 20+ participating communities.
Miss Spirit of Blossomtime Pageant –
The Miss Spirit of Blossomtime Pageant is open to all Blossomtime Communities 1st
Runner-Ups and offers one more lady an opportunity to enjoy the many events and
activities her sister queens will participate in. The winner of Miss Spirit will go on to
compete in the Showcase of Queens/Mr. Blossomtime Pageant and is eligible to win all
the queen awards at the Sunday night showcase. For the Miss Blossomtime Pageant,
she will also be eligible for all awards and titles including the title of Miss Blossomtime.
Miss/Mr. Blossomtime Pageants & Showcase of Queens – Spanning two days & evenings, 20+ community queens vie for the title of Miss Blossomtime & each community also sends 2 gentlemen to compete for Mr. Blossomtime. They are judged on poise, interviewing skills, community service, & communications as well as stage presence & personality.
Coronation Ball – A spectacular dinner dance is held in honor of all reigning Royalty, including friends & family (attended by 500+ people).
Lansing Tour – The Blossomtime Queens & Kings are hosted by State Representatives for a day long tour & luncheon. They also tour the MI State Police Academy.
Shriners Hospital Tour – Since 1979, all 21 Queens & Kings travel to Chicago to visit the Shriners Hospital. After a tour of the Hospital, they entertain the children with a dance & interact with the children playing games, making crafts & talking to them one on one.
Farm Tour – The Queens & Kings are hosted by the Berrien &Van Buren Farm Bureau for a day’s tour of area farms & agricultural facilities.
Easter Party at the Blossomland Learning Center – Kings & Queens visit and interact with the student body.
Blessing of the Blossoms – The “Blessing” (which was the start of the Festival) is a nondenominational ceremony of choirs, music & readings & is the official kickoff of the Festival. The Queens bring fruit tree blossom bouquets for the blessing & exchange with their sister queens.
Goodwill Tour – Queens & Kings tour the communities visiting elementary & middle schools, & assisted living facilities.
Mayors Banquet – Dignitaries from participating communities come together to present each Queen & King the keys to their city.
Youth Parade – Participants ranging in age from toddler through middle school are invited to enter a non-motorized float, decorated bike, wagon or pet, or march in a band or drill team.
‘Run for the Buds’ 5k Walk/Run – First conducted in 1979, the Run kicks off at 10:30 am Parade Day & travels the same route.
Grand Floral Parade – This premiere event travels 2 ½ miles through St. Joseph across the bridge into Benton Harbor. The Parade averages 125 units of floral & animated floats, bands, comic characters, antique cars, clowns, equestrian groups, & drill teams.
Blossomtime Festival 