RENOVO - Warmer-than-normal weather greeted the fourth Williamsport winner of the annual Flaming Foliage Festival.
Olivia Kuzio, who never visited Renovo before competing in the 64th annual festival, found out last month she was chosen to compete by the Williamsport Area High School faculty. She left the Bucktail Area High School stage Sunday evening as the newest queen.
"Honestly, I'm shocked, floored," Kuzio said, minutes after she was crowned. "There are so many girls here that did an awesome
Article Photos
KEVIN RAUCH/Sun-Gazette Correspondent
Miss Williamsport Olivia Kuzio (facing camera) is hugged after she wins the crown at the 64th annual Flaming Foliage Festival contest in Renovo on Sunday.
job. I'm just so thankful to have met them. This whole weekend was just fantastic. I can't believe it's ending like this."
Olivia's father, Keith, was on a plane to Florida as his daughter was crowned and, without service in Farwell, he did not find out immediately.
"He will likely cry when I tell him what he missed," Olivia's mother, Jennifer, said.
Olivia said she had a terrific time, despite the cold during the parade of queens held Saturday afternoon.
Barry Lambert, National Weather Service meteorologist in State College, acknowledged the cold temperatures Saturday that warmed as the weekend continued.
"Since our frosty morning Saturday, the clouds overnight kept temperatures from dropping too much," Lambert said.
The temperature Sunday climbed as high as 68, a few degrees warmer than the average of 63 degrees, he said.
A cold front entered the area Sunday night and will continue today, but the high will stay in the mid- to upper 60s.
This morning also will offer a chance of showers as the front slows, moving into the eastern part of the state.
"We may escape the day without really any rain (though)," Lambert said.
Tuesday's temperature will continue to decrease, with the high about 63 degrees.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the temperature will hover around the mid- to upper 60s.
"It's near to slightly above normal," Lambert said.
The reason for the warmer weather is a southwestern flow coming from the warmer southern states.
That slightly warmer weather is expected to continue until the middle of the week at least.
As the second half of the month approaches, Lambert said he expects it to be a little cooler than normal and maybe wetter than normal.
By Sunday or Monday of next week, a prolonged cool-down is expected with some "shower-y" weather.
So far this year, the Williamsport area has received 27.22 inches of precipitation, a few inches below the normal 32.83 inches.
That is not a problem yet, but if it continues, it could become one.
With the wetter weather on the way, Lambert said two or three good storms could place the area back in the average amount.
Having a water deficit in the autumn is not as bad as in the summer, when it is growing season, since a lot more water is used, he said.
Looking ahead, the next three months are expected to be above normal for temperature and near normal for precipitation.
That warmer weather could be good news for Kuzio, who will be returning to Renovo for future trips as part of her year's reign, including the annual Christmas Parade.
Miss Hughesville Kayla Russell was named first runner-up and Liberty's Deborah Brown was chosen as second runner-up.
Kuzio is the third teen from Williamsport to claim the Flaming Foliage Festival Crown since 2006 and the fourth since the contest began.
