Family of first Apple Blossom queen recreating her float

Kirsten Stokes, St. Joseph News-Press, Mo.
·2 min read

May 2—In 1926, at just 15 years old, Eulalia Gabriel became the first queen of the St. Joseph Apple Blossom Parade. Today, four generations of her family are coming together to recreate the float that she once rode in almost 100 years ago.

"She was independent, strong-willed, knew what she wanted and she did it. She'd be very happy and proud that we're doing this," said Deb Bracken, one of Gabriel's great grandchildren.

Around 40 family members will be on the float or walking beside it as Gabriel's official Apple Blossom queen portrait takes center stage.

"We've put a crank to start it on the front, just like in the picture and there's a steering wheel. We're going to wrap it in a floral, white floral pattern, and then we'll decorate it with blossoms from there," said Glenn Poirier, another great grandchild of Gabriel.

When Poirier offered the idea to his family, it presented the opportunity for them to come together as one and remember her legacy and roots of humility and bravery that she instilled in them.

"This is a great way for us to connect, because we live in different places now and don't see each other as often as we did growing up, and I think it'll be a great event on Saturday, a great reunion," Bracken said.

In line with the lessons of bravery her family said she taught them, Gabriel was courageous enough back then to try out for the first-ever Blossom queen, slipping on a white dress, quickly brushing her hair and making her way out the door. The queen competition came two years after the event's inception, making this year the 100th anniversary of Apple Blossom festivities in St. Joseph.

Gabriel made history as the first queen and was honored again in 2001 as Grand Marshal. This year, every family member has a part to play.

"Glenn's daughter is making our T-shirts for the day. So, we're going to have a good group show up," Bracken said.

Gabriel's family will take the second position in the parade at 9:30 a.m., starting at Frederick and Noyes and heading directly into Downtown.