Rodeo volunteers meet newest Miss Destin

The community was invited to meet Miss Destin Rachel McMullen on Thursday at The Inn on Destin Harbor hotel before the start of the 69th annual Destin Fishing Rodeo on Oct. 1.

Rachel met Rodeo judges, volunteers and community leaders during the official meet-and-greet event.

“Tonight is about meeting people in the community and getting to know families who I am going to work with in October,” Rachel said.

Rachel said she has been enjoying herself during the summer at HarborWalk Village’s Fat Tuesdays parades.

“I had a chance to meet many families, spend time with them and throw many beads,” she said.

Rachel is looking forward to seeing the variety of fish that will be weighed-in when the Rodeo kicks-off on Oct. 1.

“I want to see how excited people get when they bring in their fish,” she said. “I have participated before and used to be really excited to bring in my catch. Now I’m going to be on the other side and will get to see the excitement on other people’s faces.”

Rodeo Judge Marianne Kormann said the meet-and-greet is a good way to bring everybody together who will be working with Miss Destin on the docks.

“It’s nice to get to meet her ahead of time and get to know her personality,” she said. “She is the face of the Rodeo.”

Kormann said she will be the ambassador of the city and a lot of kids are going to look up to her.

“I would advice her to talk to the kids and get them hooked on fishing,” she said. “She will be making lifetime memories for these kids and make them love fishing forever.”