Sandy Houston crowned 2025 Royal Lady of the Autumn Leaves

LEAVENWORTH – Sandy Houston has been named the 2025 Royal Lady of the Autumn Leaves, an honor that will see her represent Leavenworth at festivals and parades across the Northwest. The announcement was made during the annual Royal Lady Gala on March 4.

"I'm excited to spread and share the beauty of the mountains, the fresh air, the town, and the spirit of its people with everyone. With the history I have of Leavenworth, it will be my greatest pleasure," said Houston.

Since 1964, the Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival Association has selected a Royal Lady each year to represent Leavenworth’s Bavarian traditions and welcoming spirit.

With deep roots in Leavenworth, Houston has spent a lifetime contributing to the community through owning local businesses, working for the school district, and volunteering her time to support education and youth programs.

Houston’s passion for supporting youth took root in her 30s when she was asked to lead the 'Have a Healthy Heart' program, encouraging students to develop healthy exercise habits. After two years with the program, she joined the school district office, where she worked for more than 30 years. Over the decades, she became a strong advocate for passing levies and bonds that supported schools attended by her children and grandchildren.

“What was my passion? Kids…I had to make sure that everything was going to be good for them…It's a village that has to come together, you know? It just motivated me to make sure, with every last thing that I did, to make sure that those things passed,” said Houston.

In the 1990s, when the Leavenworth Ski Hill faced closure, Houston played a key role in keeping it operational by recruiting and coordinating volunteers to run the lodge and rope tows.

“Everybody knew what they had to do. It didn't matter if it was a weekend, they just did it,” said Houston. “I go up there now and it just warms my heart that it's still there.”

Following in the footsteps of the Royal Ladies before her, Houston will make her first appearance at the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival in Wenatchee, followed by Leavenworth’s Maifest. She will then represent Leavenworth at festivals in Spokane, New Westminster (B.C.), Portland (Ore.), Marysville, Cashmere, Olympia, Seattle, and Penticton (B.C.). Her journey will conclude in September at Leavenworth’s Autumn Leaf Festival.

"Since I was born and raised here and have seen all the exciting changes, it will be easy for me to promote our area proudly, and I am humbled by this distinguished honor," said Houston.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media