Mady Payne gears up for Aquatennial

By Brenda Erdahl

When Madysen Payne’s reign as Maple Lake Princess ended five months ago, she couldn’t help but feel a little sad.

Her year as an ambassador to Maple Lake was marked with life-changing lessons and new friendships. When the time came last March to pass on her crown, she felt like an important part of her life was over. But it was on that same stage where she gave up her title, that she received a new opportunity when Aquatennial Princess Brooklyn Wermer presented her with the Queen’s Charm as a formal invitation to the 2024 Minneapolis Aquatennial.

It was like she was getting one last hurrah with her pals.

On July 23, Payne will head down to Minneapolis for five days of fun at the end of which a new Queen of the Lakes and two princesses will be crowned. Payne has as good a shot at winning a title as any of the 46 ladies participating in this year’s Aquatennial, but whatever happens, she knows it will be a good experience.

“Whatever happens, happens, I feel like it’s going to be a really good experience and if I happen to get one of the three, then it will be even better to get to spend the next year with (these ladies),” she said.

It’s not an inexpensive program, however, and since as early as April, Payne has been recruiting sponsors to help her pay for it. One of the biggest expenses is the nine outfits she is required to buy. That combined with the registration fees adds up to an estimated $2,000 or $3,000 she said.

Madysen Payne represented Maple Lake as a princess from March 2023 to March 2024 and will take part in the Minneapolis Aquatennial July 22-27.