"I can't even believe this actually just happened to me," Olivia Driedger crowned Sunflower Queen

Olivia Driedger is the 2023 Manitoba Sunflower Festival Queen!

After months of volunteer work, meetings, fashion show practices and an immense amount of effort, the shock of her name being announced Saturday evening in Altona was evident with the look on her face moments afterward, and the tears that followed soon after that.

"I'm in denial, like I can't even believe this actually just happened to me," she shared with CFAM Radio 950 Morning Show Co-Host Chris Sumner moments after winning this year's Queen Quest. "I'm just in shock. I'm still trying to process it."

Driedger says she was in denial about hearing her name called out

Driedger's goal was to be selected as Second Princess, pointing to her sister and two cousins who have worn that sash previously. Needless to say, Queen was a little more than she expected.

"As soon as I didn't get it, I'm like, 'Okay, it's fine. I can just go on,' and then as soon as Nicole (Klassen) read my name, just mind blowing," she said. "I'm still in shock. I don't think this is actually happening right now."

Driedger says she owes this honour to the community, noting it has supported her family through thick and thin, even well before she was born.

"I feel like I owe it to them to show I can represent their town proudly, and I want to represent their town proudly," she stressed "I want to represent Altona with respect and dignity, and I believe I can do that."

She was quick to point out the fashion show was her favourite part of the Queen Quest, because she loves dancing, noting it's one of her most favourite things to do. On the other side of the coin, she said the speeches portion of the Queen Quest was the most difficult for her. As a lover of movies and film, Driedger's speech was about how movies have impacted her life, and the lessons they have taught her her, alongside playing a role in shaping her into who she is today.

Seven young women participated in the Queen Quest this year, and Driedger reflected on what it was like to take this journey with them.

"Such a genuine experience," she said. "I love all of these girls. Any one of them deserves to be Queen, First Princess or Second Princess. Any one of them could have won. I'm just so thankful it was me. I love these girls so much, and I'm so thankful this is the group I got to do it with. They were so lovely."

Lanea Friesen was selected First Princess and Dalila Friesen was picked Second Princess.

As Queen, Driedger will travel to Australia next year, visiting Emerald, Australia (Altona's sister city) during that community's Central Highlands Sunflower Festival. 2023 Central Highlands Sunflower Festival Queen Paige McKenzie, who has been in Altona the past week participating in the Manitoba Sunflower Festival, will host Driedger and her family.

And for those in the crowd considering participating in the 2024 Queen Quest, Driedger shared this.

"All you got to do is have fun and be yourself, because that's exactly what I did," she said with a smile. "I just went out there and danced my little heart out, and just showed the town my true self, and that got me this."

- With files from Abby Wall and Candace Derksen -

Listen to CFAM Radio 950 Morning Show Co-Host Chris Sumner's conversation with Olivia Driedger, below.