The Lompoc Valley Flower Festival crown remained in the family with the pick of Christina “Charlie” Rich as 2008 queen. Rich is the sister of 2007 queen Miranda Rich.

First runner-up is Cabrillio High School graduate Jessica Ashley Denton, who also was named Miss Congeniality, organizers said. She was sponsored by the Sons of the American Legion Post No. 211.

The second runner-up is Brittany Gregory, also a CHS graduate, who was sponsored by the American Youth Soccer Organization.

Christina Rich was sponsored by the Vandenberg Village Rotary Club. She is also a CHS graduate. At CHS she ran cross-country and swam. She also sang in the concert choir and belonged to the National Honor Society, the medical interest club, the California Scholastic Federation and the Interact Club.

The coronation took place late Saturday night at the Pacific Coast Club on Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Eleven girls competed for chance to wear the crown this year. Along with Denton and Gregory, the others making up the queen's court, and their sponsors, are Anika Alvarado, Mexican Social Organization; Nicole Cox, Veterans of Foreign Wars No. 1717; Allison Joyce De Vera, Filipino-American Club; Brittney Leigh Fiantago, Lompoc Rotary Club; Shelby Gowler, American G.I. Forum; Karlee Kelley, Lompoc Kiwanis Club; Shelbie Nichole Tosti, Lompoc Moose Lodge No. 1036; and Jessica Nichole Vasques, Lompoc Elks Lodge No. 2274.

The 56th annual Flower Festival runs Wednesday through Sunday at Ryon Park, with the parade set for Saturday.

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June 23, 2008