02/15/2026
✨ Another Beautiful Night for the Capay Valley Community ✨
Yesterday, February 14, we gathered at the Western Yolo Grange for another unforgettable Capay Valley Almond Queen Pageant, and our hearts are so full of pride and gratitude.
This experience asks so much of our contestants, and we want to recognize the five incredible young women who dedicated their time, energy, and hearts to this journey. It takes real courage to step onto a stage and speak passionately about the Capay Valley and the community we all love so deeply. Each of these girls represented our valley with grace, confidence, and pride, and we could not be more proud of all of them.
👑 2026 Capay Valley Almond Queen: Makenzie Karlstad
🌸 First Runner-Up: Riley Valle
💛 Miss Congeniality (voted on by the contestants): Casara Pineda
Every single contestant did an amazing job, and our community stands behind each and every one of them.
Events like this are only possible because of the incredible support from our sponsors and local businesses. We are so thankful for your continued generosity and commitment to our community.
⭐ Platinum Level ($2000+)
• Road Trip Bar & Grill
• BZ Bee Pollination
⭐ Silver Level ($500+)
• Head Spa by Harlee
⭐ Bronze Level ($250+)
• Substation Solutions
• Cork & Co
• James & Deborah Durst
⭐ Contestant Sponsors ($150)
• Nitysh Mercado
• El Toro Meat Market
• Kaleidoscope Salon by Liz
• Cork & Co
• Mariani Nut Company
A special thank you to Road Trip Bar & Grill for donating beautiful custom bracelets for each contestant, giving the girls a meaningful keepsake to remember this experience.
Thank you to Cork & Co for spending so much time and effort creating a beautiful beverage area that added such a special touch to the evening.
The Grange also featured an amazing raffle with prizes generously donated by our community members and local businesses. Thank you to our raffle donors:
• Sacramento River Cats
• Whitewater Adventures
• Cache Creek Casino
• Seka Hills
• Capay Valley Lavender
• Mariani Nut Company
• Circle Z
• Road Trip Bar & Grill
• Esparto Ace Hardware
• Family Traditions Olive Oil
• Valley Tire
• Taber Ranch & Vineyard
• Cork & Co
• Buckhorn Meat Market
• UCD Meat Lab
• Head Spa by Harlee
• Grindstone Winery
• Lucy’s Cafe
• Beth Crowe
A heartfelt thank you to the Almond Queen Association for sponsoring the catering, and to Cracchiolios for preparing such a wonderful meal for everyone to enjoy.
Additional thank yous go to:
• Art Ibarra for generously donating the Queen’s Crown
• Laura Gordon for donating the Queen’s gift basket
• Harlee Grant for donating the sashes
• Esparto Chamber of Commerce for donating the Queen’s bouquet, beautifully arranged by Circle Z
Scholarships awarded through the generosity of our organizations and community:
• First Runner-Up receives a $250 scholarship from the Esparto Chamber of Commerce
• Each contestant receives a $50 scholarship from the Esparto Chamber of Commerce
• The Almond Queen receives a $1000 scholarship sponsored by the Almond Queen Association
We would also like to give our sincerest thanks to our judges, Annie Torres, Mary Day, and former Almond Queen Katie Wicks-Wilmot, as well as our wonderful MC, Jose Garcia, for making the evening so memorable.
A big thank you to the Capay Valley Fire Department for donating tables and chairs and helping make the event possible.
More than anything, this night was a reminder of what makes the Capay Valley so special, community, tradition, and the people who continue to show up and support one another year after year.
Be sure to keep an eye out for our new Almond Queen and her court as they make appearances throughout the valley during the Almond Festival this weekend. We will be posting a schedule soon so everyone can come out, say hello, and celebrate with them as they make their way up and down the valley alongside our 2025 Queen, Breanna Paris.
Thank you again to everyone who helped make this year’s pageant such a success. Our community truly makes this tradition possible. 💛
