History of the Pageant
Nebraska City’s first Applejack Festival was held September 13, 1969. Miss Nebraska City Linnea Beason presented the trophy to the winner of the AppleJack football game. During the following years this tradition was followed by Miss Nebraska City Kathy Rice in 1970; Miss Nebraska City Joyce Dickey in 1971; Miss Otoe County Mary Sue Ricketts in 1972; Miss Otoe County Linda A
bernathy in 1973 and Miss Otoe County Sheri Kreifels in 1974. In 1976 the trophy was presented by Lil’ Miss Applejack Michelle Gilliland and Mr. There is no record of a Miss Nebraska City or Miss Applejack competition in 1975, 1977 and 1978. In 1979 the Applejack trophy was presented by Kathy Saathoff, a Nebraska Citian who became Miss Nebraska. The current tradition of “Miss Applejack” began in 1980 when Mary Gail Beccard was announced as the winner. She and her husband, Nile Farris, are the parents of the 1992 Lil’ Miss Applejack, Kathryn Farris. Who then went on to be Miss Applejack in 2004. In the years following Mary’s win, Miss Applejack titles were awarded to Mary Derks in 1981, Alison Boyd in 1982 (Alison later became Miss Nebraska), Kathy Neumann in 1983, Lisa Scharp in 1984, Janna Hemphill in 1985, Ann Gangel in 1986, Stephanie Badberg in 1987, Heather Arnold in 1988, Anne Madison in 1989, Rebekah Parson in 1990, Jodi Hill in 1991 and Courtney Fox in 1992. In 1987 the first in the current series of Lil’ Miss Applejack contests was held and Elizabeth Johnson was the winner. Since that time, title holders have been Sara Van Renan in 1988, Suzann Lechner in 1989, Jaclyn Grundman in 1990, Allison Kreifels in 1991 and Kathy Farris in 1992. Applejack was named in 1988, honoring Richard Kimmel, longtime orchardist in Nebraska City. There is no record of a Mr. Applejack in 1989, but the current format of competition began in 1990, when Tom Gude was named as the winner. Applejack in 1991, and Myron Hahn won the title in 1992. Fast forwarding several years the 2003 Miss Applejack was Shelby Tilts and Little Miss Applejack was Jessica Davis. In 2004 Miss Applejack was awarded to Kathy Farris and Little Miss Applejack was awarded to Brooke Ralstin. The Miss Applejack Pageant has been a long standing tradition in Nebraska City. 2005 was the first year in several decades that our community did not have this event. In 2007, Rose Ralstin decided to bring back this much loved tradition. With this come back they added a third age bracket making a total of three winning categories. There is a Little Miss, Jr. Miss and Miss Applejack crowned each year. To help raise the scholarship awards given, there is a Mr. Applejack competition. Organizations, civic groups and businesses nominate a representative that raises funds throughout the year. The candidate that raises the most money is announced as Mr. Applejack the evening of the event. In addition, the Mr. Applejack contestants es**rt the ladies onto the stage during the evening gown portion of the event. The winning Mr. Applejack continues to accompany the Miss Applejack royalty at parades and other events throughout the year.
