About
Interested young women are invited to attend informational meetings hosted in the spring prior to the beginning of the candidate program.
Candidacy prioritizes interview skills, public speaking, volunteerism, poise, self-confidence and relationship building.
Each candidate is required to find a local Red Wing business to sponsor her candidacy. This fee covers the candidate's entire summer experience, including rehearsal time, events, appearances, visiting other community's festivals, a day in Minneapolis for the Aquatennial Torchlight Parade, and the grand finale of the Red Wing River City Days festival and coronation.
On the last night of the River City Days festival, coronation is held and three young women are selected from the group of candidates to serve as goodwill ambassadors and represent "Pretty Little Red Wing" for one year.
The goal of the Red Wing Royal Ambassador Organization candidacy program is to encourage relationship building, model professionalism, promote volunteerism and practice skills essential to young people today.
The program is accessible and equitable, offering the same opportunities to all young women of Red Wing, regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, ability or religion. The candidacy program consists of both fun and fundamental events, building confidence and independence. In addition to crowning three ambassadors, candidacy aims to empower active, thoughtful, and generous community members.
FAQs
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The official Red Wing Royal Ambassador candidate application will be available online in April. You may also email the RWRA committee to request a paper application. The Red Wing Royal Ambassador committee hosts two informational candidate meetings in early spring that can help answer your questions. Parents are also welcome and encouraged to attend these meetings.
Applications are due May 16, 20225 and sponsor fees are due June 19, 2025, at the first candidate event. The Red Wing Royal Ambassador Candidacy lasts approximately 7 weeks. -
Judging is based on overall impression including poise, communication skills, community and school involvement, sincerity and a warm, friendly personality. We are looking for a role model and strong representative for our wonderful city, and someone who works well with the team of other Ambassadors.
An independent selection team is chosen to crown a team of three Ambassadors who they feel would be the right fit for the Ambassador role. Their decision is strictly of their own choosing, with no influence from the Red Wing Royal Ambassador Committee or current Ambassadors. Their selection is based on information provided in the candidate materials, like the platform paper, and as witnessed during all judged events and interviews. -
As long as the offense occurred prior to becoming a Red Wing Royal Ambassador Candidate and prior to signing our contract, you may still participate in the program. You have a 'clean slate' when you become a candidate. Keep in mind though that if any infraction of the Law or rules of the Red Wing Royal Ambassador Organization occurs after you become a candidate, there will be consequences that could include disqualification.
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Any young woman who is a high school junior up to their 21st birthday, and either lives, works, OR attends school in Goodhue County (including Lake City.)
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Yes! Candidates who are not selected as Ambassadors are eligible to be candidates again in the future as long as the candidate still meets the age and other criteria listed above.
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Yes! Young women are welcome to participate only for the Candidate Program and have the right to opt out of being selected as an Ambassador if they so choose.
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Candidates are encouraged to find their own sponsor, but the committee will assist in finding a sponsor if needed. The cost of sponsorship is $450. The sponsoring business will receive publicity proceeding and during River City Days.
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NO! Our program does not have a talent or swimsuit competition. The Red Wing Royal Ambassador program is NOT a beauty contest, it is a scholarship program.
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This program is open to candidates who have never been married nor have had a marriage annulled. Candidates may not be pregnant or become pregnant during candidacy. Upon accepting the title, if chosen, the Ambassador agrees that she will not marry during her reign or become pregnant. These rules are in conjunction with the Minneapolis Aquatennial.
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No. We do make exceptions for missed appearances for legitimate reasons, as long as we know in advance. But please note, each event is tailored to help candidates grow and have fun. It may also be one less chance for the selection team to observe you and unexcused absences are reported to the selection team.
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A Red Wing Royal Ambassador’s term of service is one year. Most of the appearances are at parades, coronations, and community events during the weekends and summer months. You will also be scheduled at numerous local community events.
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Yes. Most appearances are scheduled during the summer months, and we work around college schedules during the year. Because the Red Wing Royal Ambassador Organization is a scholarship program, education is a top priority. The Red Wing Royal Ambassador Organization committee works with ambassadors to schedule appearances around school schedules.
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Serving as a Royal Ambassador is a very unique and rewarding opportunity. You will receive an educational scholarship up to $2,000 at the end of your reign. You will also receive a wardrobe, which will include at least one evening gown and business attire. In addition, one ambassador will have the opportunity to continue on to compete for the title of Minneapolis Aquatennial Queen of the Lakes or Princess.
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Parents play a role during the Ambassadors' year. They are involved with transportation and assisting with setting up and/or taking down of the Red Wing float at parades. They may also choose to take part in chaperoning and fundraising opportunities. While parental involvement is appreciated, this is NOT part of the ambassador selection process.
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You will enrich your personal and professional skills including poise, presentation and speaking skills. This experience is a stepping-stone to post-high school education or a future professional career and will connect you to a network of peers and mentors.










