Winners of five contests recently held at the 52nd annual Garden Grove Strawberry Festival received trophies and thunderous applause at the Garden Grove amphitheater.
This year a new contest, the Strawberry Jammin’ Talent Contest, was added in honor of the theme: Celebrating the Magic of Music. Winning in the A Cappella Category was The Argo Quartet including Shercon Lumauig, Kristina Didley, Nima Lupati and Max Silivelio. The Best Acoustic Band award went to 714 with vocalist Lizzy La, Johnny Nguyen on drums, lead guitarist Lanszen Chang, rhythm guitarist Christine Le, bass guitarist Andy Mai and Michael Arteaga, keyboardist. And the contest’s grand prize winners, who rode in the festival’s Saturday parade were Lazara Diaz and Ally Alex, who was also a member of the Miss Garden Grove court.
Wyatt Johnson was crowned Tiny Tots King and rode in the festival parade float alongside Paris Wiideman, the Tiny Tots Queen.
Trophies were presented by Miss Outstanding Teen Jennae Duran, Miss Garden Grove DeeDee Saetia and her court. Other winning members of the Tiny Tots court include 3-year-olds Victoria Carey and Johnathan Barajas, 4-year-olds Lilly Ann Salazor and Christian Gaugis, 5-year-old Thomas Lange and 6-year-old Beatrice Smith.
Jordan Hill swept the judges away with his smile as grand prize winner of the Berry, Berry, Beautiful Baby Contest. Other applauded for the prettiest smile were Caleb Knowles and Aliya Grant.
Additional 2010 baby contest winners in different categories and age groups included Christian Lopez, Isabelle Revoloria, and Thomas Murillo for Prettiest Eyes; plus Ethan LaMotte, Victora Razo and Maleia Randolph for Prettiest Hair.
The Redhead Roundup Contest is the oldest of the festival contests with the first held in 1958. This year’s Best Redhead Sweepstakes winner was 3-year-old Zoe Born who also won for Cutest Red Head. Other category winners were Baby Red Head: Matthew Schaeffer; Toddler Red Head: Ty Cote; Teen Red Head: Gabby Marco; Prettiest Red Head: Sarah Salazar; Classy Red Head: Melinda McNichols; Red Head with most freckles: Jerry Kunaly; Strawberry Blond Image: Natalie Specht.
The Grand Prize Strawberry Idol Karaoke winner was Juanita Mankuleiyo of Santa Ana. The second place winner was Clint Gamboa and the person taking third place was Wayman.
The four contests are held annually as part of the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival. Contestants register an hour or more before the contests begin and winners are chosen by a panel festival board members and local citizens. They received a trophy and a gift card.
Congratulations to all of the winners!