Camden Linton was crowned King of the Coast, and Sylvia Hand was coronated Queen Rhododendra at the Rhododendron Festival Coronation on May 9, 2026, at the Florence Events Center, the kickoff of the 119th Rhody Days festival in Florence.
Written and photographed by Will Yurman
The 119th Rhody Days festival got off to a royal start with the crowning of this year’s King of the Coast and Queen Rhododendra at the Rhododendron Festival Coronation Saturday evening, May 9 at the Florence Events Center.
The evening included a talent competition from the senior court of five princes and five princesses, as well as singing and dancing from both the senior and junior courts. From backstage nerves to onstage grace, the evening ended with the coronation of Camden Linton as King of the Coast and Sylvia Hand as Queen Rhododendron.
Austin Nunez, 18, of Florence, gets some makeup help from Averie Walker, 17, of Mapleton backstage at the Florence Events Center.Michaela Norton applies makeup to Rhody princess Alayna Krause.Lindsay Holcroft applies eye makeup to junior princess Maci Hack,6, one of five members of the junior court.Lindsay Holcroft applies eye makeup to junior princess Hennleigh Bloomfield, 6.Backstage, three member of the senior court, Jacob Mann, left, Camden Linton, Adylin Holbrook and last year’s queen, Ashlyn Hart, watch the talent competition on a small television.
Hennleigh Bloomfield and the other members of the junior court answered a question onstage from co-emcee Vanessa Buss.Junior princess Mia Moore and her dad show off their moves as he walks her onto the stage.A final dance performance with the junior and senior members of the Rhody Court.Sylvia Hand is congratulated by Kevin Gaspar Santos as she is named Queen Rhododendra.Sylvia Hand was named Queen of the 2026 Rhododendron Court.Sylvia Hand receives her crown from last year’s queen, Ashlyn Hart.Camden Linton is crowned King of the Coast by last year’s king, Joel Sissel.The crowd stands and cheers as the awards are announced at the end of the Rhododendron Festival Coronation.
Sweet Will:)