Autumn Leaf Festival Cancelled till 2021

 Last fall, a secret committee of three people, per protocol, nominated and asked a mature community woman and leader to represent our community as the 56th Royal Lady of the Autumn Leaves. The committee asked Penelope (Penny) Carpenter Ressler, and she honorably accepted the nomination. Penny then had to choose a past Royal Lady as a companion. 2016 Royal Lady, Carol Forhan accepted and helped guide her along the way, from having her professional pictures taken, picking out material and finding a seamstress to making the traditional festival gown and float dirndl. And the get ready for the Gala, without anyone knowing who she was. Penny was then announced as the 2020 Royal Lady at the March 3, 2020 banquet and gala festivities as 2019 Royal Lady Charlotte Ley finished her year of parades and festivals representing with great honor, our City of Leavenworth. Then as we all know the COVID-19 became a serious threat to all the communities including our own. So Royal Lady Penny could not participate in any of the Northwest Hosting Associations’ Festival parades and festivities that normally happen from early May to September starting with Apple Blossom in Wenatchee, Lilac in Spokane, Hyack Festival, New Westminster, BC, The Rose Parade, Portland, Strawberry Festival Marysville, Capital Lakefair in Olympia, Seattle Seafair and Peach Fest in Penticton B.C. Another local festival we support is Founders’ Days in Cashmere. 

 Neither snow or rain could stop our participation, but COVID -19 DID! Truly Penny was very willing and ready to hit the road to represent Leavenworth and the Upper Valley in all those festivals. But aside, Penny still wanted to let the community know that she truly has the community of Leavenworth spirit to show. She has taken the opportunity to write notes and letters to thank and encourage people, write condolences, this year we lost 1972 Royal Lady, Frankie Brender and 2012 Royal Lady, Sandy Siegert.

She sent congratulation messages to many people, including the 2020 Cascade High School graduation class. She helped the Leavenworth Senior Center prepare meals to take to those who were shut in. She makes abundant amounts of cookies and treats and brings them to the local sheriff’s office and some local businesses. She recently was elected as the President of the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum. Check out the window at the museum and see how Ms. Arlene Wagner has shown her appreciation to Royal Lady Penny. Penny is also a past president and member of PEO Chapter JF and is the past president and active member of the Leavenworth Rotary Club. This coming weekend would have been Leavenworth’s 56^th annual parade and festival, but of course this will not happen. Hope to see you next September. Thank you, Leavenworth for your support of Autumn Leaf Festival Association and our 2020 Royal Lady Penny!