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Children Crowned Winners At Parade

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By DAVE NICHOLSON

dnicholson@tampatrib.com

Published: March 18, 2009

PLANT CITY - About 120 children, dressed as princesses or knights or riding in elaborate floats, took part March 8 in the annual Florida Strawberry Festival baby parade.

Youngsters ages 1 to 4 competed in categories such as most beautiful, most personality and best costume. A panel of 16 out-of-town judges picked the winners, said Nia Ramo, who headed the contest presented by the Plant City Junior Woman's Club and sponsored by Verizon. The 2 1/2 hour show was emceed by Cyndi Edwards of WFLA, Channel 8's "Daytime" show.

The judges had a tough job, Ramo said. They were so cute, "you want to give them all an award," she said.

The baby parade is one of the oldest festival events, dating at least to the 1950s. "My mom won in 1962," Ramo said.

The parade includes children riding on floats, in costume or dressed to catch the judges' eyes.

A king, queen and court members are selected from entries in the 4-year-old competitions.This year's winners included queen Emma Showalter, king Gerald Williams and court members Haley Bell, Regan Elser, Quinton Kahelin and Ashley Walls.

Here are the winners:

1-Year Olds

Most Personality: Alivia Eben, first place; Jaxson Inzerillo, second place; Austin Creel, third place.

Most Original Float: Chloe Suits, first place; Caden Bryant, second place; Carson Brock, third place.

Most Beautiful Float: Hannah Rae Layton, first place; Jasmine Heistand, second place; Trinity Fortner, third place.

Most Handsome: Zy Floyd, first place; Tucker Garner, second place; Josh Dubose, third place.

Most Beautiful: Ava Varnum, first place; Layla Lawyer, second place; Abigail Mullis, third place.

Best Costume: Braden Jones, first place; Chesney Stackhouse, second place; Kendall Wright, third place.

2-Year-Olds

Most Personality: Madison Kinney, first place; Gracey Cowder, second place; Amelia Boyce, third place.

Most Original Float: Lillie Alana Riner, first place; Emaleiah Bradshaw, second place; Taylor Carlisle, third place.

Most Beautiful Float: Makayla Register, first place; Emmerson Givens, second place; Gracie Garner, third place.

Most Handsome: Easton Morrow, first place; Guadalupe Villanueva, second place; Caleb Swindle, third place.

Most Beautiful: Lauren Launikitis, first place; Hannah Walker, second place; Skyler Barber, third place.

Best Costume: Kinleigh Duncan, first place; Anthony Knight, second place; Caden Allen Trapnell, third place.

3-Year-Olds

Most Personality: Chase Patrick Simpson, first place; Aubrey Hancock, second place; Tegan Christie, third place.

Most Original Float: Aiden Grooms, first place; Tanner Rollyson, second place; Justin Thomas Layton, third place.

Most Beautiful Float: Olivia Little, first place; Lilly Hall, second place; Eli Dean Hiscock, third place.

Most Handsome: Frankie McBride, first place; Jayden Brown, second place; Caden Mitten, third place.

Most Beautiful: Natalee Guevara, first place; Madelynn Farmer, second place; Saige Starford, third place.

Best Costume: Paige Zarecor, first place; Colby Brewington, second place; Kiona Davis, third place.

4-Year-Olds

Most Personality: Haley Bell, first place; Kylie Glenn, second place; Lillian Lee, third place.

Most Original Float: Quinton Kahelin, first place; Jade Newman, second place; Emily Grace Linton, third place.

Most Beautiful Float: Regan Esler, first place; Emma Stephens, second place; Melody Cooper, third place.

Most Handsome: Gerald Wayne Williams, first place; Judson Wade Smith, second place; Tryston Barber, third place.

Most Beautiful: Emma Reese Showalter, first place; Emma Grace Livingston, second place; Brenna Mae Sturgis, third place.

Best Costume: Ashley Walls, first place; Gabrielle Phillips, second place; Courtney O'Rourke, third place.

Reporter Dave Nicholson can be reached at (813) 865-4432.

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