On Saturday, June 13, the 73rd New Melle Festival hosted its annual Baby Contest, drawing an impressive turnout of 20 entries. The event was sponsored by Simply Yours Cafe, coming soon to New Melle, and Narrative Realty.
Julie Lassiter, owner of Simply Yours Cafe, emceed the contest with assistance from the 2026 New Melle Festival Queen, Lacey Oberg; first alternate and Miss Congeniality, Teagan Brazil; and candidate Sophia Counts. Organizers also extended appreciation to the judges for volunteering their time and helping make the contest a success.
The first-place winner in the 13-18-month category, Lillian Meyer, is the great-granddaughter of the 1960 New Melle Festival Queen, Sandra Dreckshage Boland. See the picture below.
Special thanks go out to all of the adorable babies and their families who participated in this year’s event. Your participation helps continue a cherished festival tradition. See you next year!
Entries in the 0-6 months category (L-R)
Mylus with dad Jesse Dingledine (First Place)
Olivia with mom Hanna Orf (Second Place)
Calvin with mom Jessica Tipton
Adelyn with dad Dan McGee
Winners in the 0-6 months category (L-R)
Mylus with dad Jesse Dingledine (First Place)
Olivia with mom Hanna Orf (Second Place)
Entries in the 7-12 months category
Standing: (L-R)
Harrison with dad Ian Precht
Finley with dad Louis Wildschuetz (First Place)
Autumn with mom Kristene Holmes
Charlie with mom Jenna Murphy
Lukas with mom Rachel Paul
Colten with dad Josh Hespen
Sitting: (L-R)
Maddox with mom Kayla Dry
Bryer with mom Samantha Tinker (Second Place)
Lyla with mom Jordan Friedel (Third Place)
Eloise May with mom Olivia Trettin
Winners of the 7-12 months category (L-R)
Finley with dad Louis Wildschuetz (First Place)
Bryer with mom Samantha Tinker (Second Place)
Lyla with mom Jordan Friedel (Third Place)
Entries and winners of the 13-18 months category (L-R)
Lillian with mom Rachel Meyer (First Place)
Everleigh with mom Amanda Robertson (Second Place)
Bennett with mom Jill Barras (Third Place)
Entries and winners of the 19-24 months category (L-R)
Cal with mom Jordan Friedel (Third Place)
Louis with mom Natalie Berra (First Place)
Scottie Lou with mom Lexi Mooney (Second Place)
Lillian Meyer, 1st place winner, for the
13 to 18-month-olds, is the great-granddaughter of
the 1960 New Melle Festival Queen,
Sandra Dreckshage Boland.
Photo submitted by Linda Schultehenrich.