Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE - The three-day Mentone Egg Festival wrapped up Saturday, with the parade in the morning and the crowning of Miss Mentone 2026 in the evening.
In between, there were the crowning of Mr. Rooster and Miss Chick, music, games, food and community events. The parade grand marshal was veteran Forrest Kantner, who also is a retired teacher and Mentone business owner.
The theme this year was “The 80th Birthday of the Big Egg.”
Mr. Rooster and Miss Chick were crowned shortly after the parade. This year’s winners were Sadie Shafer, Miss Chick, and Jameson Shultz, Mr. Rooster.
The Cute Baby Contest winner - Allister Small - was announced before the crowning of Miss Mentone, but was not present.
Bree Reece, director for the Miss Mentone contest, explained how the pageant works each year.
“What they do is, they can, ahead of time, put out cans - you’ll see them at stores, people can donate money. It’s a penny a vote, and what determines the winner is solely based on whoever raises the most money for the town,” Reece said.
She stated the contestants put in a lot of work and they all had a booth throughout Mentone Days. Each young woman also rode in Saturday morning’s parade.
Miss Mentone 2025 Alyssa Brunner gave a speech about what she did in the past year, and then gave her final walk.
“I want to start with a thank-you. Thank you for letting me be your 2025 Miss Mentone. I’m so happy and grateful that I got to represent this community. This title has meant so much to me this past year and has given me so many opportunities to do things I never would have had if not for this chance,” Brunner said.
She listed the many activities and events she got to participate in.
“It’s not easy to say goodbye to this role after this past year. Being Miss Mentone has not only given me the opportunities to take part in the community, but also help me achieve my original goals before beginning my reign of growing my confidence, getting out of my comfort zone and meeting so many amazing people, and that was definitely one of my favorite parts of my reign,” she said.
Brunner thanked the community, her family, friends and Reece for being in her corner, encouraging her, guiding her and making her experience memorable.
She wished the best to the next Miss Mentone.
Representing the town for the next year as Miss Mentone will be Briley Lowe. She is a junior at Tippecanoe Valley High School. She loves helping others, photography, babies and being involved in the community. She is a nine-year 4-H member at Mentone United and a varsity swimmer at TVHS. She grew up just outside of Mentone and says she loved being raised in the community.
First runner-up was Lizzie Daniels, with Abby Babbitt as second runner-up.
