Dakota Crowned Lumberjack Days Queen

Deija Dakota was crowned queen at this year’s Baraga County Lumberjack Days. Dakota was selected from a field of a dozen contestants. She is the daughter of Rhea Koski and the late D.J. Dakota, and is entering her senior year at Baraga High School. Hailey Lamb was named first runner-up. Brea Hoffman was second runner-up, and Jaelynn Lindemann was voted “Miss Congeniality.”

At the introductory ceremony Saturday evening, officials also introduced Carter Maki and Maev O’Leary as this year’s prince and princess. Maki is the son of Tim Maki and Kelsey and Tim Olson. He’s entering the third grade at C.J. Sullivan Elementary School in L’Anse. O’Leary is the daughter of Joseph and Nikki O’Leary, and is about to enter the fourth grade. This year’s grand marshals were Jim and Cele Koskinen, who have a long history of involvement with Lumberjack Days, and with many other community events and organizations. 20-year Navy veteran Stan Spruce served as military escort for the contestants.

See video of the opening ceremony here.