The Miss Kelowna Lady of the Lake pageant emerged from the Regatta Queen which started in 1931. The Kelowna Gyro club had been sponsoring the May Day celebration which merged with the Regatta Queen to become the Lady of the Lake Pageant in 1934. The Gyro Club continued to sponsor the pageant for a number of years and still sponsors a Lady of the Lake candidate each year. The candidates are also sponsored by Kelowna’s three Rotary clubs, Grant Thornton, RBC Dominion Securities, Castanet and other sponsors which vary from year to year as well as the Pageant committee itself.
The candida
tes are all from Kelowna and between 16 to 18. They go through a rigorous training starting in January with public speaking, dance, makeup, etiquette, networking, car maintenance, fashion and presentation. The Lady of the Lake and her princess are announced at the Pageant in July. The program is coordinated by Marya Raty, Director of Candidate Training and supported by ten to thirteen volunteers.
The program brings out the best in these girls. Throughout the seven months training the emphasis is, Strive for Excellence. The candidates learn, ‘it’s what’s in the inside that counts’ and how to bring it out. The Kelowna Gyro Club is proud of its 91 year history and continued support of the Lady of the Lake Pageant.
2024 candidate: Ella Hamer-Jackson
2023 candidate: Brooklyn Bradshaw (Princess)
2022 candidate: Jolina Cosar
2021 candidate: Cameron Simon
2020 candidate: Mackenzie Littleton
Our 2019 candidate Priyaali Kanti – Queen
2018 Olivia Solano – Queen
Past Lady of the Lake Candidates:
2017 Gabrielle Hanvold
2016 Rachel Wehrmann
2015 Camryn Peters – Queen
2014
2013 Elizabeth Hardy – Princess
2012 Megan Anderson
2011
2010 Juliet Koazmorek – Princess
2005 Amanda Osness – Princess
2002 Tricia Fenton -Princess
1998 Jennifer Osborne – Queen