MARYSVILLE CARE CENTER ROYALTY

King Dale Covert

Dale Covert was born and raised in Marysville, twice married, with a son and grandson

He still remembers when the Burger Stop was the only burger place in town besides Mom’s Drive-In near 88th Street. These was nothing in Sunnyside area where he lived. Covert had a career in banking, then worked 25 years for Costco in the pharmacy, cashiering and marketing.

His favorite memories of the Strawberry Festival were the trike races, when riders would stop at every tavern in town and drink a beer. Also, the mini-hydroplane races on Ebey Slough and carnival.

Queen Theresa Rolfes

Queen Theresa was born in Coronado, Calif. outside San Diego. Her husband has since passed away, while her son has moved to Marysville who has been a true caregiver for her since arriving at the center two years ago. Why was she named queen? “I’m just a friendly person, and easy to get along with,” said the longtime dental assistant. She enjoys drawing, painting, and taken 2nd in the center’s annual Christmas card design contest twice. She has her parade wave down.

BROOKDALE SENIOR ROYALTY

King Roy Hulbert

Roy was born in Charleston, S.C. He lived there until drafted at 18 into a 20-year Army career, serving in WWII and the Korean War. He spent time too as a doctor’s assistant in a mental hospital. He has been married to his Queen, Mary, for 50-plus years.

He’s King because he is good, honest and always looking out for others.

“This is our first Strawberry Festival,” he said.

Queen Mary Hulbert

Mary is from Sylva, N.C.

She went to college to become a licensed practical nurse, which she did for 22 years. She loved every bit of it, just meeting people, working with them and getting to know them. They met at a hospital and married in 1979. They both have children, but not together, and plenty of grandchildren. Center folks describe her as beautiful, intelligent and outspoken. She has heard of the Strawberry Festival, but hasn’t gone. “I can’t wait to actually see it!” she said.

TULALIP SENIOR CENTER ROYALTY

King Bert Robbinson

King Bert was born on the Tulalip Reservation, and is part of the Gobin family. His family lived in the Kelso-Longview area for a while, then they moved back to Tulalip. Bert worked with several businesses that installed computer systems and cash registers, locally at the Lakewood Costco.

Queen Cookie Fryberg-Robbinson

Cookie grew up in Tulalip and is a former Strawberry Festival Queen. In her younger days, the queen wasn’t picked in a pageant; the honors went to the girl – or parents – that sold the most tickets running for Queen. Her mom and dad signed her up, and the rest is Strawberry Festival history. They have seven kids between them, and lots of grandchildren. Cookie got her start as an Indian counselor at Marysville Middle School, where she worked for 16 years. The couple didn’t start dating until later in life. They enjoy going to the casino, and traveling to Tribal elder luncheons around the region.

WINDSOR SQUARE SENIOR ROYALTY

King Chuck Wilkinson

Chuck Wilkinson has lived most all his life in the Pacific Northwest, and last lived in Spanaway before moving to Marysville to be closer to a daughter. Professionally, he was an internal auditor with major national companies before retiring.

Queen Marie Kelly

Queen Marie was born and raised in Spokane, home of the Lilac Festival, so she knows her parades. Her husband worked for the phone company, she was an insurance broker, and they moved around a bit – Everett, Anacortes, and back to Marysville. True to Marysville family traditions, the family were festival regulars, and the kids picked strawberries every summer.

Chuck and Marie are bemused about why they were chosen, but they’re having fun with it because it’s good for Windsor Square’s reputation. “I have no idea why in the world Chuck and I landed in this situation,” Marie said. Chuck said, “It’s conscription. They don’t tell you. They just hand out ballots then write in names, on Valentine’s Day.”