GILMER, Texas — The East Texas Yamboree Queens Pageant tradition dates back to 1935, and every year apart of this celebration is royalty at its finest, adding glitz and glam to the festival.
Aside from celebrating the yam crop that brings thousands of tourists to the city of Gilmer, a large part of that celebration is a crown that's been representing the Yamboree for 87 years. This year, the crown lies on the head of 17-year-old Katie Henson.
"It's so exciting because I’ve been looking forward to this ever since I was a little girl," Henson said.
The Henson family has a trail of royal legacy. Katie’s cousin Stephanie was the 71st Yamboree queen in 2008, her cousin Drew was the 74th in 2011. Katie’s sister Savana was crowned in 2015 as the 78th, and in 2021, her older sister Hannah Henson was named the 84th queen.
"It's something that deeply rooted in our family," Henson said.
She said was a member of her cousin Stephanie's queens court. So this dream of one day wearing a crown of her own, wasn’t too far fetched.
"To be the queen that I saw when I was a little girl, it's just really special to me," she said.
Growing up in Gilmer around generations of queens gave her the determination to someday reach for the crown and sash. But to reach that milestone, candidates must raise money for a week and a half selling tickets and receiving donations for the Yamboree. The candidate with the highest amount raised, is selected as queen.
"I'm a very shy person. So it's taught me to come out of my shell and be able to talk to people, and have a real conversation," she said. "I'm really proud of myself honestly, because that money that I raised was by myself and I went out and talked to people and people made donations."
Giving back to the community that raised her has always been a part of her life. Being named the 87th East Texas Yamboree Queen, she plans to be a role model for younger generations.
"Just to spread positivity, and to show up for the community like I said, and just show that I'm there to support everyone," she said.
For Henson, she feels a big sense of responsibility attending as royalty of the largest festival in the county.
"Showing up and showing that you care about the community, and taking part in the events that are going on, I think it's a big role," she said.
Aside from the food and fun attractions, being able to represent a festival near and dear to her community since 1935 is an honor.
"It's just an important thing to me, to be there on the float in the parade, and up there walking in my dress and my train," Henson said.
The experience is also a memory she will hold on forever while hoping to hand over the crown to future Hensons.