Blossomtime Crowns 2026 Miss and Mr. Blossomtime
Blossomtime Crowns 2026 Miss and Mr. Blossomtime
Mr. Blossomtime was crowned Sunday, April 12th and Miss Blossomtime was crowned Monday, April 13th at the Mendel Center Mainstage at Lake Michigan College. 17-year-old Taylor Costanza, from the community of Eau Claire/Sodus/Dowagiac was crowned the 93rd Miss Blossomtime. Dominick Lignell, from St Joseph was crowned the 29th Mr. Blossomtime. The theme of this year’s pageant was “Blossomtime…Oh the places you will see.” Former Miss Blossomtime 1988, Lanie Lu Von Behren and the Lady of the Lake Athletic Director, Phil McDonald emceed both pageants. The pageants were streamed live by Midwest Family Broadcasting on the WSJM News Talk Sports Facebook page and aired on 94.9 FM.
Taylor is the daughter of Jennifer and Brett Costanza. She is a senior at St Joseph High School. Taylor plans to attend Michigan State University to become a travel nurse. Taylor is a 4-year Honor Roll student, a member of the National Honor’s Society, 4H Club Vice President and Secretary and Rugby Team Captain and MVP. She also participates in the Girls Flag Football and is dual enrolled at Lake Michigan College. Joining her is First runner-up, Miss Hartford, Brianna Friedrich. Brianna is a 17-year-old senior at Hartford High School and is the daughter of Sherry and Todd Friedrich. She plans to attend Lake Michigan College for two years in the Social Work Program and then continue her education at Western Michigan University. Second runner-up, Miss Watervliet, Emma Birkhead is the 17-year-old daughter of Angela Gendron and Kevin Birkhead. She is a senior at Hartford High School. After graduation, she plans to attend Douglas J. Institute to earn her cosmetology license, then further her education to become a kindergarten teacher. Crowned Miss Congeniality is 17-year-old, Miss South Haven, Maya Gonzalez. She is the daughter of Janet Aguero and Anthony Gonzalez. She is a senior at South Haven High School. Maya plans to attend the University of Illinois Chicago for Orthodontic Dentistry.
Dominick is a 18-year-old junior at St Joseph High School and is the son of Rosalinda Brink and Matthew Lignell of St Joseph. Dominick plans to pursue a career as a skilled electrician, with a long-term goal of owning his own electrical company. He is an Honor Roll student, a representative for the statewide Be NICE mental health awareness program, and a member of DECA. Dominick also participates in Varsity Football, Varsity Track and Field and is enrolled in the Early Middle College program. Joining him is First runner-up, Beau Kirtdoll. Beau is a 17-year-old junior at Niles High School and is the son of Erika and Timmy Kirtdoll. His goal is to earn admission to the University of Michigan to pursue a career in Business, specifically specializing in Entrepreneurship and Finance. Antonio Jordan, a 19-year-old senior at Berrien Springs High School was crowned Second runner up. He is the son of Natasha Jordan and Sondra Staggs and will be attending Western Michigan University in the fall to pursue a career in the arts. Crowned Mr Nice Guy was Giovanni Ayala, a 17-year-old senior at Watervliet High School. He is the son of Luz Perez and Cipriano Ayala. He plans to become a Mechanical Engineer.
The Kings’ award winners for Photogenic were awarded to Jayden Robinson, Benton Harbor; Nolan Adent, St Joseph; and Cole Dalton, Stevensville. Modeling awards went to Jayden Robinson, Benton Harbor; Antonio Jordan, Berrien Springs; and Beau Kirtdoll, Niles. The King’s Legacy Scholarship was awarded to Hunter Pounders, Coloma. The Lake Shore Masonic Lodge No. 298 Benton Harbor Scholarships were awarded to Keegan Franklin, Eau Claire/Sodus/Dowagiac and Clayton Burk, Three Oaks/River Valley. The Good Luck Ad winner was Keegan Franklin, Eau Claire/Sodus/Dowagiac. The State Farm Good Neighbor Scholarships were awarded to Clayton Burk, Three Oaks/River Valley and Giovanni Ayala, Watervliet. The Mr. People’s Choice winner was Liam McAndrew, St Joseph. A King’s interview award will be awarded at the Mayor’s dinner on May 12th, 2026.
The Showcase of Queens award winners for Photogenic were awarded to Miss Buchanan, Justyce Cashier; Miss Eau Claire/Sodus/Dowagiac, Taylor Costanza; and Miss Spirit, Mya Miller. Modeling awards went to Miss Bridgman, Kate Starbuck; Miss Hartford, Brianna Friedrich; and Miss Niles, Kennedy Holloway. Commercial awards went to Miss Hartford, Brianna Friedrich; Miss Niles, Kennedy Holloway; and Miss Spirit, Mya Miller. The princess program scholarship winners were Miss Berrien Springs, Olivia Spenner and Miss Bloomingdale, Gwenyth Meyer. The Community Queen’s Legacy Scholarship was awarded to Miss Coloma, Cassidy Emrath. The Good Luck Ad winner was Miss Eau Claire/Sodus/Dowagiac, Taylor Costanza. The Bob Braamse Community Service Scholarship was awarded to Miss Hartford, Brianna Friedrich. The Miss People’s Choice winner was Miss New Buffalo, Angelina Bryk. The State Farm Good Neighbor Scholarships were awarded to Miss Baroda, Jada Fulghum and Miss Edwardsburg, Alyssa Horton. The Southwest Blossomtime Sorority Scholarship was awarded to Miss Niles, Kennedy Holloway. The evening gown award was awarded to Miss Berrien Springs, Olivia Spenner. 3 Community Queens were chosen by the judges on best overall poster board, which displayed themselves and showed their personality. This award went to Miss Benton Harbor, Da’Miyah Lee; Miss Bridgman, Kate Starbuck; and Miss Watervliet, Emma Birkhead. The Queen’s interview award will be awarded at the Mayor’s dinner on May 12th, 2026.
Judges for the Mr. Blossomtime pageant were Brandy Godush-Cox, Hunter Ackerman, and Corbin Wagner.
Judges for the Showcase of Queens pageant were Sin’Cere Taylor, Marylynne Dittmer, and Calvin Williamson.
Judges for the Miss Blossomtime pageant were Bret McAtee, Lisa Bowman Walters, and Steve Spears.
The Blossomtime Festival is the oldest and largest multi-community Festival in the state of Michigan. This year marks its 120th Celebration, 1906-2026.
