Victoria Watkins grabbed a part of local history Saturday when she was crowned 2011 Florida Strawberry Festival queen. She won the title six years after her sister, Ashley, wore the coveted crown. Sibling winners have happened one other time in the history of the pageant, which was founded in 1930.
Watkins, 17, a Plant City High School senior, said that she was "not expecting it" when 2010 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen Natalie Burgin placed the crown on her head.
Her father, Michael, said it was "unbelievable" that she would win the crown. Allie, another daughter of Michael Watkins and his wife Heather, was first maid in 2007.
This year's first maid was Victoria Garren, who was mistakenly crowned queen - albeit briefly - before emcee Kelleigh Klein announced there had been a mistake, apparently because Watkins and Garren have the same first name.
Other court members are Taelor Highland, Kori Lane and Summer Norris.
The first sister queens were Lauren Der and sister Erica. Lauren was crowned in 2009, six years after Erica.
dnicholson@tampatrib.com
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