July 7, 2004
Royal family
Herald photo by Carol South
This year, the extended Kroupa family doubled their aggregate number of National Cherry Festival princes as Spencer Kroupa, 7, reigns as royalty for Eastern Elementary School. Spencer's beloved "Bompie," or grandpa, Tom Kroupa was a Cherry Festival prince in 1952 for St. Francis Elementary School.
Spencer Kroupa and grandfather Tom Kroupa both Cherry Festival princes
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Spanning the generations, the Kroupa family now has two claims to royalty.
With the crowning of Spencer Kroupa as National Cherry Festival Prince for Eastern Elementary School, he forwards the family dynasty one notch. His adored Grandpa, or "Bompie," also known as Tom, previously "Tommy," Kroupa, wore a princely crown in 1952. Faded photos and a "Prince Tommy" bracelet supplement memories of representing St. Francis in the then two-day Cherry Festival.
"It was something I've never forgotten," Tom Kroupa said. "I remember being at Thirlby Field, up on stage with the queen."
The latest prince, Spencer, hung with the family Saturday night. He practiced a regal wave and posed for pictures, slightly sunburned from the lengthy coronation ceremony earlier that day.
"I liked meeting the queen and I'm glad to be prince," he said, of meeting Kelly Plucinski, the 2003-2004 National Cherry Festival Cherry Queen.
His parents, T.J. and Kathy, willingly took on potential float and royalty duties when they allowed Spencer's name to be in the running for prince. When he was picked, they helped build the school's Love Bug float, along with the family of Madison Ostergren, 7, Eastern's princess, and other volunteers. An organized group, they finished their effort by mid-June.
"We had such helpers, the parents, they were creative," said Kathy Kroupa, who noted that princes and princesses have numerous appearances during the National Cherry Festival.
While modern royalty are chosen by lot, Tom Kroupa said it was a popularity contest in his youth. For years, students in the running would parade through all the classes in the school where other students would vote on their favored candidates.
"Why kids voted for me, I don't really know," said Kroupa, adding that he and his princess, Darlene Bark, corresponded for years and singed them 'your prince' or 'your princess.'
Kroupa was actually a second grader when he wore the crown since St. Francis did not have a first grade at the time. The previous year, he was runner up for Central Elementary School and his best friend, David Viskochil, was prince. In 1952, they switched roles at their new school.
Kroupa does not recall the float's theme or the building process. He speculates that it might have been built by the Neuman Display Company, which for years built all the floats.
He does remember a corrugated paper crown with plastic cherries in the front and sparkles as well as a long red velvet cape. Underneath boys wore white trousers and girls wore white skirts; each wore a white shirt. This is a contrast to the formal and informal attire now required of princes and princesses, plus a sash and durable plastic crown decked with fake jewels.
While accessories do not intrigue most boys, one trapping of royalty is a hit with Spencer.
"I like the crown," he said.