1991 Queen Marigold, Graphic Designer Emily Semple, performed vacuum cleaner tricks during the talent portion of her coronation event. She wore a chiffon wedding dress she'd dyed sumptuous slime green.
This same frock did not enjoy such high praise when she accepted an invitation to join other local royalty at the Florence Rhododendron Festival. Queen Marigold stood out in dramatic contrast to the tasteful gowns of area high school queens.
"I'm not sure they knew what the Slug Queen was," she recounted. "The stage they'd created was this glittery, mylar fairyland. They didn't really know how to respond when I said, 'I feel so welcome, because you've covered the stage in slime!'