The Lompoc Flower Festival officially crowned its queen on Saturday, during an inspiring and candy-colored coronation ceremony at the Lompoc Veterans Memorial Building.
Surrounded by over 200 friends, family members, and supporters, Jomelyza Wilhelm was named the 2025 Flower Festival Queen.
Joining her on the royal court are First Runner-Up Madison Koff, Second Runner-Up Vaelyn Solorio, and Princesses Solimar Beltran, Jalisa Dixon, Alexandra Brooks, Grace Day, and Audrey Sparks.
Themed “Candy Land,” the formal evening was filled with pageantry, emotion, and pride for all eight candidates, said Queen Mom Pauline Chui, who helped lead the event.
“These girls were truly exceptional,” Chui said. “They made the judges’ decision a tough one! Only one wears the crown, but each of them showed the heart, grace, and spirit of a queen.”
Community appeal: Help the Queen’s float bloom again
One of the most iconic features of the Flower Festival Parade — the Queen’s float — is poised for a floral comeback, and organizers are calling on the community to help make it happen.
“We want this year’s float to be something special — something Lompoc can be proud of,” said Chui. “But the truth is, it hasn’t been easy to gather enough flowers in recent years. So this time, we’re reaching out, because we know how generous and creative this community can be when there’s a need.”
Joining newly crowned 2025 Lompoc Flower Festival Queen Jomelyza Wilhelm, center, is her royal court, First Runner-Up Madison Koff, Second Runner-Up Vaelyn Solorio, and Princesses Solimar Beltran, Jalisa Dixon, Alexandra Brooks, Grace Day, and Audrey Sparks. Left of Wilhelm in white is 2024 crowned queen Madison McCarley.
Maria Vega Photography, contributed
Residents are encouraged to donate fresh flowers or greenery to the Festival Office at 414 W. Ocean Ave. starting at 9 a.m. Friday, June 27. The queen and her court will begin decorating the float that morning in preparation for its debut at Saturday’s parade.
Requested flowers and greens include stock, cosmos, larkspur, pincushions, protea, succulents, eucalyptus, mock orange, and other long-lasting blooms.
“This float is more than a ride down H Street — it’s a symbol of what happens when a community comes together to make something beautiful. Every flower helps tell that story,” Chui said.
For more information or to volunteer, contact Pauline Chui at 805-291-0381. For festival updates, the entertainment and food vendor schedule, visit the Lompoc Flower Festival’s Facebook page.
Flower Festival kicks off this week
This year’s festival begins Thursday, June 26, at Ryon Memorial Park and runs through Sunday, June 29, with four days of family fun and hometown pride.
Now in its 72nd year, the Lompoc Flower Festival remains one of the city’s longest-running and most cherished traditions. Originally established to celebrate the region’s vibrant flower-growing industry, the event has grown into a community-wide celebration featuring a carnival, live entertainment, food booths, craft vendors, and the grand parade.
The Queen’s Parade will take place Saturday, June 28, at 10 a.m., featuring colorful floats, sweet surprises, and community cheer. The parade begins at the intersection of North H Street (Hwy. 1) and College Avenue, and heads south along H Street.
Pictured is 2025 Lompoc Flower Festival Queen Jomelyza Wilhelm, center, and her royal court, First Runner-Up Madison Koff, right, and Second Runner-Up Vaelyn Solorio, left.
Maria Vega Photography, contributed
In addition to the parade, visitors can enjoy dozens of food booths, vendors, live musical performances, and a full-blown carnival with games and rides.
Admission to the park is $7 for ages 12 and up; $5 for ages 6-11; and free for ages 5 and under. Admission is free for all before 1 p.m. on Thursday and Friday only. All parking is $10.
Lisa André covers lifestyle and local news for the Santa Ynez Valley News and Lompoc Record, editions of the Santa Maria Times. She can be reached at landre@syvnews.com