Queen Scheherazade

NEW QUEEN SCHEHERAZADE CROWNED
New court to reign as ambassadors of 72nd Annual Fair

Pictured in the photo, from left to right: Princess Dunyazade: Sianna Gonzalez, Queen Scheherazade: Keanna Garcia, Princess Jasmine: Caedwyn Lethlean

Indio, CA – (November 18, 2017) On the evening of November 18, 2017 the Riverside County Fairground’s Fullenwider Building was transformed into a scene out of 1,001 Arabian Nights. Twelve young ladies from across Riverside County competed for the crowns of Queen Scheherazade, Princess Dunyazade and Princess Jasmine. The Queen & her Court will act as goodwill ambassadors for the 2018 Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival, February 16-25.

Crowned Queen Scheherazade was Keanna Garcia. Keanna is a senior at Palm Desert High School. She is involved with the National Honor Society, she also tutors middle school students and helps freshman and sophomore students be proactive about college. Keanna loves the performing arts and is very involved with theatre and created the first Folklorico Club at her school. She plans to attend College of the Desert.

Sianna Gonzalez, from Shadow Hills High School, was crowned Princess Dunyazade. She received a Royal Purple Award for accomplishing a 4.0 GPA every year. She loves being a cheerleader as the sport allows her to lead her classmates, not only on the sidelines, but as a leader in general. Sianna plans to become a nurse which will allow her to help others and work with children.

Crowned Princess Jasmine was Caedwyn Lethlean, a senior at Shadow Hills High School. She also received a Royal Purple Honor Roll Award for maintaining a 4.0 GPA all semesters of high school. Caedwyn’s life goal is to make a significant contribution to the world through biomedical engineering.

Queen Scheherazade will receive a $3,500 scholarship and each of the princess will receive a $3,000 scholarship. We look forward to having them represent the 2018 Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival. Congratulations, ladies!

The Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival is presented by Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, the desert’s leader in gaming and entertainment. The Fair, in Indio, runs February 16-25. Gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. Purchase your tickets early and receive them at a discounted price: $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $8 for youth, $8 for group tickets or bus tours (minimum of 25), and $22 for Unlimited Carnival Ride Wristbands. For more information, call 800.811.FAIR or visit DateFest.org where you can buy and print your Fair tickets at home.

THE LEGEND OF QUEEN SCHEHERAZADE 

Early storytellers of Baghdad say that there was once a jealous king named Shahriyar, who dearly loved his beautiful wife. But, unfortunately, he discovered that she was unfaithful. So he promptly had her beheaded.

The King vowed he would remarry and the morning following his wedding night his bride would be slain.

The task of finding the King a new wife each day was turned over to the Grand Vizier (Chief of Police). It so happened that the Vizier was the father of two of the most beautiful women in the land-Scheherazade and Dunyazade. Shocked at what was happening to her sister citizens, Scheherazade begged her father to take her as a bride to the king. At first the Vizier refused, but Scheherazade argued that eventually her time would come.

And so it was, that the king met “Scheherazade”, a comedian and great storyteller.

On their wedding night Scheherazade started the Tale of 1001 Nights, but she was unable to finish it. She promised to do so the next evening. Intensely interested, the king agreed. However, the next night, Scheherazade again stopped her story as it reached an exciting point. Again, the King agreed to a continuance.

And so it went for 1001 nights, until the King fell deeply in love with Scheherazade and they lived happily ever after.

Former Queen Scheherazades