The Sequim Irrigation Festival season is upon us, as festival organizers crowned the 2023 royalty court Saturday night at the annual scholarship pageant.

Pepper Reymond, an aspiring nutritionist, won over the judges for the role of this year’s queen with her response to various questions and her rendition of “Part of Your World” from “The Little Mermaid.”

“It’s exhilarating,” Reymond said after the pageant at Sequim High School.

“I’m thrilled and ready to take on the mantle of queen for the community.” See more pics from the pageant here.

For the next year, Reymond and the festival’s royal court — princess Anne Marie Barni, prince Fred Cameron, and princess Paige “Skylar” Krzyworz — will tour the region at parades and events as ambassadors for Sequim.

Barni was awarded the Congeniality Award, sponsored by Castell Insurance, for her kindness to fellow contestants during the pageant preparation process.

The four teens were judged on prior interviews, impromptu questions, evening attire and their creative displays. Barni performed an original flute score to her hand drawn animation, Cameron presented his plans for building and purchasing generators as part of his Eagle Scout project, and Krzyworz performed “Coiled” by Bob Upton on the cello.

Along with making various appearances for the festival, the four teens will share their platforms with the community. Reymond plans to partner with Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), and Barni plans to inform the community about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) with informational pamphlets. Cameron looks to raise awareness about blood disorders, and Krzyworz looks to support the Sequim Food Bank.

During the Feb. 25 pageant, the 2022 royalty — queen Isabella Williams, princess Katherine Gould, princess Ellie Turner, and princess Lauren Willis — were honored, along with this year’s honored pioneers Janice Schmuck Thomsen, Rena Mantle Blank, Myrna Margaret Mantle and Rick Godfrey.

Susan Baritelle was also recognized as the 2023 grand marshal and Hope Walkowski as the button design winner.

The 2023 Junior Royalty were also crowned after reading their essays. They include Sofia Lopez and Greyson Rhodes of Greywolf Elementary, and Lynn Westman and Grayson Castell of Helen Haller Elementary.

The royalty’s float will be unveiled at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at 7 Cedars Resort, just prior to the Kick-Off Dinner and Auction.

For more information on tickets and upcoming events for the 128th festival, set for May 6-13, visit irrigationfestival.com.

Sequim Gazette photoS by Matthew Nash This year’s Sequim Irrigation Festival royal court includes, from left, prince Fred Cameron, princess Anne Marie Barni, queen Pepper Reymond, and princess Paige “Skylar” Krzyworz. They’ll tour the region extensively this summer in parades representing Sequim as ambassadors.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Princess Anne Marie Barni, right, learns she’s awarded the Congeniality Award on Feb. 25, sponsored by Castell Insurance, for her kindness to fellow contestants during the pageant preparation process. Last year’s winner, queen Isabella Williams, presented her the award. This year’s Sequim Irrigation Festival royal court includes, from left, prince Fred Cameron, princess Anne Marie Barni, queen Pepper Reymond, and princess Paige “Skylar” Krzyworz. They’ll tour the region extensively this summer in parades representing Sequim as ambassadors.

2022 Sequim Irrigation Festival royalty (back row, from left) queen Isabella Williams, princess Katherine Gould, princess Ellie Turner, and princess Lauren Willis, crown the 2023 Junior Royalty. They include, from front left, Sofia Lopez and Greyson Rhodes of Greywolf Elementary, and Lynn Westman and Grayson Castell of Helen Haller Elementary.