Regal representatives from Altona's Australian sister city of Emerald are in town to revel in this weekend's Manitoba Sunflower Festival.
Earlier this year, Paige McKenzie was crowned Central Highlands Sunflower Festival Queen. No stranger to Canada, McKenzie is not your average festival royal.
"I work in the coal mines in Australia. I'm at a local mine called BMA Blackwater Mine. I drive the rear dump trucks out there, do some pump work, as well, like dewatering the pits. I've lived in Emerald my entire life, pretty much."
This year marks the first time that the Central Highlands Queen Quest has produced a winner with Canadian citizenship.
"I am actually a dual citizen of Canada. My mom's from Cranbrook, B.C. I've lived over here for about a year, and then moved back to Australia, and haven't left ever since."
As a young girl, McKenzie remembers watching the queens pass by on their floats.
"My mom actually said that there was a photo of me with one of the Queens from many years ago. I don't actually remember the year now, but it's been a part of the community for a long time. I actually entered back in 2019, with Zara Simpson, she was the Queen back in 2019. I ran with her and Jordan Spargo the Princess. After that I joined the committee actually."
Her role as the committee's treasurer lasted for about three years.
"From there they asked if I would run again. That came to this year, where I ran again with Caitlyn Horn and she's a current Princess as well."
Fundraising is a standard component of the Central Highlands Queen Quest in Emerald.
"We choose a charity, or not-for-profit group, to raise funds for, and then the committee has their own fundraising events which help fund the festival," explained McKenzie. "This year they chose to also do some fundraising for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. I chose my local football club, the Emerald Tigers, they're not-for-profit in the community. They spend a lot of time in the community doing some domestic violence rounds and mental health rounds. Everyone comes out to those games, and it's just a great, great time with them."
Her first Impression of Altona -- it's much smaller than her hometown Emerald.
"Being in Rosenfeld (where she is staying during her visit to the area) as well, you notice there's no fences anywhere. That's the first thing Cohen (Paige's partner) mentioned. He's like, there are no fences around. He's seen his first squirrel, as well, so he's been excited about that. Definitely the other side of the road driving is kind of freakish. But the weather here, especially the smoke around, it's very different not seeing the blue sky every single day. I know that's from the bushfires and B.C. and around. Halle (Hildebrand’s) family has just been so welcoming to us, and we can't thank them enough for giving us a place to stay and feeding us constantly."
McKenzie says she's amazed at the friendships that grow during the Quest.
From fellow contestants to the Canadians that visit Emerald to the community's participation, McKenzie calls the Queen Quest experience "heartwarming."
Her parting advice to queen contestants: "Be yourself. Be open with yourself. Have the confidence to put yourself out there. Speak with pride about everything you do. You want to look proud to be in the community."
The Manitoba Sunflower Festival runs Friday through Sunday, with the crowning of the 2023 Festival Queen taking place Saturday evening.
Left to right: Paige McKenzie, Chris Sumner and Halle HildebrandYou can listen to CFAM Radio 950 Morning Show Co-Host Chris Sumner's full conversation with Paige McKenzie, below
Fri, May 17, 1:00 PM
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