Once Upon A Time We Had The 2012 D.R.Y.L. Queen’s Pageant

Early in the week the forecast was bleak for the 41^st Annual DRYL Queens Pageant but as we got closer to Saturday the forecast got a little better. With hi-winds, heavy rain, hail, lightning and thunder all in the forecast it caused much concern with over 70 boats set to come in on Friday. But, as it turned out it was a wet Friday morning, early afternoon and just another wonderful Saturday for the DRYL Queens Pageant. I think Toni had an in with Mama Nature.

By Saturday morning all the boats were secure in the basin, and everyone was enjoying the sunny blue sky, and the company of friends from near and far. However, the clock was ticking and clubs were readying their boats for the judges for the Decorated Boat Contest. If you were to have wandered around Saturday morning you would have seen …….

River Winds YC hard at work building a town ( yet again )

Quaker City YCs Dennis Hart preparing his Ginger Bread House

Harbor Light YCs Terry Baldwin readying his Castle / Battleship

The Haley’s from Yapewi AC adding the finishing touches to a tribute to Dr. Suess

and The Coyne’s from Anchor YC trying to climb a Bean Stalk.

It was on, the party was underway!

The Flip Flop Parade kicked off the afternoon and that had the Princesses struttin’ their decorated footwear down the docks to the hoots and hollers of the crowd.

Afterwards the Judges for the Boat Decoration Contest were escorted around the basin and given the hard task of having to pick some winners. In my eyes, they were all winners. It was no easy job for them, as all the boats looked great but Riverwinds YC came prepared to defend their title! For those who did not get a chance to venture over, take a peek of what you missed.

As you can see from the pictures, Dolly Parton preformed, a corn still was brewin’, and the Tradin’ Post was as busy as a blue light special at K-Mart. It truly was a huge ho-down that even the Clampetts would have enjoyed. I bet the McCoy’s & Hatfield’s would have laid down their guns and had a foot stumpin’ good time as well!

Ok, enough from the RW dock for now…. it was time to make your way to the Independent Seaport Museum for the Pageant. As the Princesses & Commodores filed into the Museum for pictures and stage rehearsal the Princesses all looked so relaxed and at ease. I think Queen Kaity had a lot to do with this as she kept everyone smiling with her bubbly personality.

The stage was now set ( LOL – literally ) and the Pageant was underway. The Princesses were introduced and escorted onto stage by their Commodores or other Ranking Officer while Yapewi AC Officers acted as Color / Honor Guard ( and BTW – they were high and tight and looked great ). The Judges had to have had a hard time determining who would be our 2012 Queen as all the young ladies were calm, cool, and collective when answering their on stage questions. 2011 Queen Kaity gave her farewell speech, which was such a joy to listen to. She was and is a fantastic mentor for the Princesses and her smile and wit will be missed greatly.

Shortly after her farewell speech she presented Brent Hart from The Philadelphia Wooden Boat Factory a donation that she championed for this past year. The PWBF helps bring inner city youth to the waterfront by building wooden boats.

It was now time for the winners of the Boat Decoration Contest to be announced and presentation of trophies for their hard work. This year’s winners were:

Best Decorated Sail Boat …. Ramblin – QCYC

Best Decorated Power Boat …. Sherrie Lee – RWYC

Best of Fleet …. Kickin’ Back – RWYC

Best Decorated Club …. None other than the RiverWinds YC

Commodore Lewitt having a proud moment for him and his club members.

It was now time to find out who the Princesses thought was the kindest and most helpful Princess though-out the summer. The award went to Miss West End BC Alex Leo. She was the recipient of Miss Congeniality and with that we went into intermission. In a blink of an eye the stage was filled with many who were dancing and doing the mummers strut on the stage with The Avalon String Band. The party had now gone from the docks to the stage. The place was jumping! What a bright and colorful sight to see.

Before long, the Princesses were being escorted back onto the stage and everyone was awaiting the announcement as to who would be wearing the DRYL Crown for 2012.

As our Emcees, Past DRYL President Bob Bocock and Past DRYL Queen Astra Haldeman were presented the envelopes but kept the crowd in suspense what seemed like forever. The envelopes were opened one by one and the announcements were made ….

3^rd Runner Up Miss Bristol YC Rose Tummarello

2^nd Runner Up Miss Anchor YC Hillary Curran

1^st Runner Up Miss Farragut SA Brittany Lawyer

And the 2012 DRYL Queen …. Miss West End BC Alex Leo !

West End BC P/C (and proud mom ) Denise Leo

The celebration was underway. The stage was filled with cheers, tears, and hugs. The crowd made their way back to the docks to wind down from another great pageant. The 2012 Pageant was now over. Pageant Committee Head Toni Nespola would be seen later in the evening exhaling a huge amount of air then smiling from ear to ear. She pulled off another great pageant for us. For those unaware, she will take a short break and the wheels will start turning for next year’s event.

I need to give thanks to Paul Richardson & Jr Pyffer for their help in getting the boats in the basin and to all the clubs that helped out upon arrival to assist. I have been a part of the Docking Committee for many years and I must say this was by far THE BEST YEAR EVER FOR DOCKING BOATS. No controversy, no nonsense, no BS – just camaraderie and helping hands where ever you turned.

I also must say thank you to Linda Pyffer for her many years of putting the Pageant Book together for us as she is stepping down from that position. I am very grateful as should we all for her efforts for our group. She was a valuable piece of the pageant puzzle and will be missed.

And, as you can see from the boat decorations awards, River Winds YC did it again. However, they not only decorated their boats, they awed us, they entertained us, they fed us, they kept everyone hydrated, they gave out Red Neck Wine Glasses and they supplied the party atmosphere that makes this event one that people will remember. I tip my hillbilly hat to them, which by the way they were also giving out ….. Cheers To RWYC !

Above I mentioned feeding us and keeping us hydrated – I have to give a shout out to Wissinoming YC who must have snuck a barge in in the middle of the night filled with food and liquids – they could have fed an Army and a Navy. Another group of people that come to enjoy themselves and share their love for a good party.

To our Pageant Committee, those that work behind the scene but do so much with their help and efforts, I say thank you very much. We are very lucky to have you in our organization, and I hope you all return for next year.

And last but not least, to Committee Head Toni Nespola, what can I say that has not been already said – you are the pageant, the driving force behind a well constructed plan and the leader of the pack. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this wonderful week-end. Thank you for your commitment to us and for the perfection that you strive for to assure us, and the young ladies all have a day that will be the highlight of the summer. - Juice

Pictured above are a Queen Mom, our current Queen, and a bunch very good role models for our Princesses and all the young ladies in our organization – who just so happen to be Past Queens of The DRYL.

Enjoy more photos below - thanks to John & Candyce for the photos.