During the 2025 Lanesville Heritage Weekend Queen Contest, the community paused to honor a half-century of tradition by welcoming back former queens who have carried the crown over the past five decades. The moment was a highlight of the festival’s 50th anniversary celebration, recognizing the grace, leadership, and community pride that each titleholder has embodied.
The program also paid tribute to past directors and volunteers who have sustained the pageant through the years, with special recognition to current director Shelby Blackerby Ferree, serving her final year in the role.
From the very first queen crowned in 1976 to the most recent, the event spotlighted the women who helped shape the legacy of the Lanesville Heritage Queen title. Each was called to the stage to be recognized for their contributions and place in the pageant’s history.
Lanesville Heritage Festival Queens:
1976 – Vivian Coast
1977 – Jeannine Stilger
1978 – Stacey Harmon Bays
1979 – Bonita Chanley Tong
1980 – Jackie Stilger
1981 – Becky Walther Kessinger
1982 – Lara Howg Kennedy
1983 – Spring Howg Harris
1984 – Evette Lootee
1985 – Jane Walther Pfeiffer
1986 – Susan Wathen Johnston
1987 – Lori Minor Schmidt
1988 – Melissa McAllister Sprigler
1989 – Shannon Walther
1990 – Alisa Myrick
1991 – Jenny Snawder Stumler
1992 – Kristin Dornbush
1993 – Mary Toms Ott
1994 – Cheryl Collins Windell
1995 – Kerrie Melcher
1996 – Tiffany Meyer Wernert
1997 – Morgan Wills
1998 – Jillian Dornbush O’Neal
1999 – Ashley Crosier
2000 – Sara Litch Barr
2001 – Megan Ehalt (honored posthumously for her service to the community)
2002 – Daria Blank Zollman
2003 – Tommi Whitehouse
2004 – Rebekah Jordan
2005 – Heather Schaefer
2006 – Olivia Blank Keenan
2007 – Rachel Rivers
2008 – Caroline Turcotte Rennington
2009 – LeAnne Meyers
2010 – Miranda Cake Dermer
2011 – Caryn Eisert
2012 – Elise Lawson Frazier
2013 – Madilyn White
2014 – Abigail Blagg Brown
2015 – Skylar Beldon Esh Bacher
2016 – Jillian Moran
2017 – Allie Crosby Caldwell
2018 – Katie Keibler
2019 – Meredith Hasken
2020 – No Queen (COVID-19)
2021 – Shelby Kahl
2022 – Daisy Wilson
2023 – Hylton Brumley
2024 – Margeaux Stewart
As names were read aloud, applause filled the room, honoring generations of young women who have represented the festival with pride. Together, they serve as a shining example for future queens to follow and a living testament to 50 years of community spirit.
