Festivities begin with regal event

Official celebrations for the 2011 Alexandra Blossom Festival began yesterday with the crowning of the senior queen. Ainslie McCristell (68) (left), representing Alexandra and District Probus, was named the 16th senior queen and Mamie Caird (84), representing Alexandra Senior Citizens, was named the queen's attendant, or runner-up. There were five entrants.

The judges were Liz Anderson, Jane Kinney and Wayne Soper.