A New Miss Litchfield Crowned
A new Miss Litchfield was crowned at the conclusion of the 70th annual Litchfield Watercade celebration yesterday. Emma Wuotila – sponsored by Wuotila Lawn Care – is Miss Litchfield for 2026-27. Emma also received the formal gown and Miss Congeniality awards.
The new princesses include Ellivia Woods – sponsored by Farm Bureau Financial Services, and Bianca Forsberg – sponsored by First District Association. The junior royalty crowned yesterday include Jewel – sponsored by Basement Water Solutions and Gabbi – sponsored by Herradura Food Truck.
The winning Watercade button numbers are 593 and 1038 – for $250 each and #233 for $500. Contact any Watercade Board member to claim your prize. London Barrick designed the 2026 Watercade button and received a $50 prize. Ellivia Woods sold the most buttons – 230.
Carol Dragt was asked to stop playing the piano for a few minutes yesterday and was then presented with the honorary Minneapolis Aquatennial Commodore volunteer award.
Gary Smith was this year’s Litchfield Watercade Grand Marshal. The Watercade Medallion was found by the Wright-Turnbough Family at Sunrise Terrace Park under the tree by the mini-biff.
The coronation yesterday was emceed by 1976 Miss Litchfield Janelle Urdahl-Kirsch and 1996 Miss Litchfield Pauline (Boop) Collins. They had any former royalty from the audience come up on stage and introduce themselves. Litchfield Mayor Ron Dingmann presented scholarships to 2025 Miss Litchfield Brooke Caron and Princesses Raigan Miller and Katelyn Guggemos and presented Community Education scholarships to junior princesses Hazel Menken and Brooks Nelson.
