One of the nicest and most anticipated events celebrating the beauty of the fall season takes place this weekend, October 10th-12th, when the 76th Flaming Foliage Festival occurs in Renovo, Clinton County.
The event has many interesting aspects, including the crowning of the Annual Flaming Foliage Festival Queen, a parade through downtown Renovo, three full days of craft and food vendors, and the Flaming Foliage Festival Follies, a fun, unique talent and comedy show. Past shows have seen men in dresses posing as Miss America contestants, dance teams, and musical selections to set the mood for the annual event. Winners of the Future Queen and Escort Contests, along with talent acts, will promise a fun-filled event for the entire family.
The Flaming Foliage Festival began in 1950, amidst the optimism of post-war America, as an initiative by the Bucktail Park Association to promote Lock Haven, Renovo, and Emporium, as well as other points, as hospitality spots for tourists along the scenic Bucktail Trail. And in the 75 years since then, the Festival has become a fall institution in this part of Pennsylvania that attracts visitors far and wide.
To host this great event, a corps of dedicated volunteers works year-round in preparation for it. One of these is Marie Ransom, who acts as the Festival’s Queen’s Advisor. “I, myself, have been involved on the Committee since the 1990s — 26 years as the Queen’s Advisor. A lot of preparation — for months in advance — by the committee members makes sure everything is covered for the weekend,” Ransom told Webb Weekly.
Major festivities start with the appearance of craft and food vendors on Friday, October 10th.
Saturday, October 11th, is the big day for the Festival. That is the day of the Flaming Foliage Festival Parade, beginning at 1:45 p.m. in downtown Renovo. It will include the Parade of Queens, various high school bands and marching units, as well as a wide variety of floats.
Later on Saturday, there will be the Flaming Foliage Follies at 7 p.m. at Bucktail High School. The Flaming Foliage Festival Follies are a fun, unique talent and comedy show. The event is open to the public.
Sunday, October 12th, culminates the Festival activities with the crowning of the Flaming Foliage Queen at 2 p.m. at the coronation ceremony at the Bucktail High School.
As you can see, there is a lot to do at this year’s Flaming Foliage Festival.
Locally we have several young women representing their schools at the Flaming Foliage Festival. They are all pictured on the cover and here is a little about each representative:
Miss Bucktail
Eva LeeAnn Sockman
Representing Bucktail Area High School is Eva LeeAnn Sockman. She is the daughter of Scott and Janene Sockman of Renovo and has two brothers. Eva is a member of the PBIS, NHS, Environmental Club, and Student Government. She is also involved in varsity basketball, softball, and tennis. She is a mentor for a student at Renovo Elementary. Eva enjoys travel softball, spending time with family and friends, shopping, swimming and watching the sunset at Hyner View. Eva plans to continue her education and attend college for nursing. Her escort for the weekend is Gavin Pick of Renovo.
Miss Canton
Sadie Nicole Ragan
Representing Canton High School is Sadie Nicole Ragan. She is the daughter of Amanda Ragan of Canton and has three siblings. Sadie is a member of Big Brothers and Big Sisters, is a competitive cheerleader, and a cheerleader for basketball and football. She enjoys baking, traveling, art and cheer. Sadie plans to pursue a degree in the culinary industry. Her escort for the weekend is Blake Barnes.
Miss Central Mountain
Alexis Saige Whitehill
Representing Central Mountain High School is Alexis Saige Whitehill. She is the daughter of Kevin Whitehill, and the late Pamela Whitehill of Howard, and has two siblings. Alexis is a member of the NHS, Skills USA, Rotary, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She also enjoys dancing, reading and farming. She plans to further her education and to become a speech pathologist to help others with speech disabilities. Her escort for the weekend is Myeah Carson of Blanchard.
Miss Hughesville
Madelyn Rose Gordner
Representing Hughesville Area High School is Madelyn Rose Gordner. She is the daughter of Matthew and Rebekah Gordner of Hughesville, and has two sisters. Madelyn is a member of the High School Drama Club, FBLA, National Honor Society, HOSA, and is a member of the cheerleading team. She enjoys crafting things and dancing. After graduation Madelyn plans to pursue a nursing degree. Michael Swales of Muncy will be her escort for the weekend.
Miss Jersey Shore
Rees Rhiann Bierly
Representing Jersey Shore Area High School is Rees Rhiann Bierly. She is the daughter of Scott and Charlotte Bierly of Jersey Shore and has two siblings. She is a member of the NHS, National Arts Society, Society Key Club, Red Cross Club, FBLA, Soccer, Prom and Homecoming Committee. She enjoys playing soccer, piano, doing art and being outdoors. Rees plans to attend Penn College for dental hygiene. Her escort for the weekend is Tucker Hanna of Jersey Shore.
Miss Montgomery
Emily Grace Dieffenderfer
Representing Montgomery Area High School is Emily Grace Dieffenderfer. She is the daughter of Wayne and Marsha Dieffenderfer of Montgomery and has one sibling. Emily is a member of the National Honor Society Chapter Historian, Student Council Treasurer, Student School Wide Positive Behavior Team, Virtuoso, Think Big Club, and is a Camp Invention-Leadership Intern. She also enjoys Painting, Baking, Hiking and Singing. Emily plans to attend college after graduation and get a degree in Marketing and Sales Her escort for the weekend is Raiden Felix of Montgomery.
Miss Montoursville
Sadie Nicole Disher
Representing Montoursville Area High School is Sadie Nicole Disher. She is the daughter of James and Dacia Disher of Montoursville and has 3 siblings. Sadie is a member of the National English Honors Society, and the Health Science Club. She enjoys reading, baking, hiking, travel and running. Upon graduation, Sadie plans to pursue a degree in pediatric sonography or become a school psychologist. Holden Fillman of Trout Run will be her Escort for the weekend.
Miss Muncy
Kyrsa Anne Willis
Representing Muncy Jr./Sr. High School is Kyrsa Anne Willis. She is the daughter of Tye Willis and Angela Knight of Muncy and has two siblings. Kyrsa is a member of FBLA, Super Girls, class president, field hockey, and Student Administrative Council. She enjoys Photography, Gym and Community Service. Kyrsa plans to attend college and major in pharmacology/chemistry with a minor in business. Cayden Jacobs from Muncy will be her Escort for the weekend.
Miss North Penn-Liberty
Abaigeal Alanna Garverick
Representing North Penn-Liberty High School is Abaigeal Alanna Garverick. She is the daughter of Edward Garverick and Megan Kreger of Liberty and has one sibling. Abaigeal is a member of FFA, Key Club, NHS, Prayer Group, band, modern band, group chorus, girls’ varsity soccer, girls’ varsity track and field. She enjoys reading, journaling, horseback riding, running, snowboarding, listening to music, and playing soccer. Abaigeal plans to attend Houghton University and major in Bible and theology with a youth ministry concentration. Jadon Crawford of Factoryville will be her escort for the weekend.
Miss North Penn-Mansfield
Elena Mercedes Hazelton
Representing North Penn-Mansfield High School is Elena Mercedes Hazelton. She is the daughter of Mark and Sarah Hazelton of Mansfield and has two sisters. Elena is a member of the National Honor Society, Varsity Tennis team, Homesteaders club, 4H, Youth Group, and the Tioga County Dairy Princess Promotion. She also enjoys dancing, reading, painting, and baking. After graduation, Elena plans to attend a four-year college to become a Registered Nurse and pursue her master’s degree to be a pediatric nurse practitioner. Landyn Empet from Mansfield will be her escort for the weekend.
Miss Saint John Neuman Regional Academy
Breanna Neveah Nixon
Representing Saint John Neuman Regional Academy is Breanna Neveah Nixon. She is the daughter of Cleavon and Alicia Faulkner-Nixon of Williamsport and has two siblings. Breanna is a member of Student Council, Key Club, NHS, National Art Honors Society, SADD Club and Be a Force for Good Club. She plays basketball, soccer, softball and enjoys hanging out with her favorite people. After graduation Breanna plans to become a hematology oncologist. Her escort for the weekend is Daiton Thompson of Williamsport.
Miss South Williamsport
Madeline Renee Pinkerton
Representing the South Williamsport High School is Madeline Renee Pinkerton. She is the daughter of Danny and Christine Pinkerton of South Williamsport, PA and has two siblings. She is a member of NHS, Captain of the Varsity Softball Team, Mini Thon Club, SADD, Leo Club, junior high softball coach, and a first grade classroom assistant at Central Elementary. She also enjoys playing softball, pickleball, and working out. After graduation, Madeline is planning to attend Lock Haven University to major in early childhood education along with playing softball. Her escort for the weekend is Trace Wertz of South Williamsport.
Miss Sugar Valley Rural Charter School
Sadie Elizabeth Martin
Representing the Sugar Valley Rural Charter School is Sadie Elizabeth Martin. She is the daughter of Donald and Melissa Martin of Loganton and has three siblings. Sadie is a member of the NHS, Student Council, FBLA, and Envirothon. She also enjoys baking, reading, volleyball, and film photography and editing. After graduation, Sadie is planning to attend college for business and marketing. Her escort for the weekend is Michael Garcia of Loganton.
Miss Williamsport
Dayianna Sultanna Baines
Representing Williamsport Area High School is Dayianna Sultanna Baines. She is the daughter of Khamita Baines of Williamsport. Dayianna is a member of the National Honor Society, Yearbook Club and Executive Board. She also enjoys. Javelin, volunteering at Antioch Baptist, exercising, pickleball and weightlifting. Dayianna plans to attend college for medical imaging. Her escort for the weekend is Xavier Johnston of Williamsport.
Miss Wellsboro
LeAnna Carmen Fuentes
Representing Wellsboro Area High School is LeAnna Carmen Fuentes. She is the daughter of Brittany Crouse of Wellsboro and has two siblings. LeAnna is a member of FFA and enjoys hiking, fishing, listening to music, baking, cooking and working out. LeAnna plans to enter the workforce after graduation and work for PennDOT. Her escort for the weekend is Jacob O’Day of Roaring Branch.
