The new queen won the coveted title from a field of eight contestants on Saturday night, amid much excitement from fans and family members who were among the large audience attending the grand event.

Maxwell who wore the sash Miss Money Gram also took home the sectional prize for best performance in the JCDC organise event.

The coronation show took place at the Crane Ridge Resort in Ocho Rios and was described as one of the best in recent years both in terms of the quality of the contestant and the crowd support.

First runner up to the queen was 23 year old sales representative at North Coast Times Aneka Spencer, who wore the sash Miss Healthy Way, the second runner up prize went to another crowd favourite Miss Crane Ridge Resort, 19 year old Stacy Ann Sewell, who is a guest service agent at the Resort.

Maxwell and Spencer shared the prize for best performance while the prize for most congenial went to 19-year-old student Cieanna Smith who was Miss Sigma School of Nursing.

The other contestants were Miss Ocho Rios Pharmacy, 23 year old Kerry-Ann Swire a Clerical Assistant; Miss Atlas Protection Kaysha Thomas 19 year old student; Miss Pegs Hardware, Alicia Baker, 20 year old student and the youngest of the contestants 18 year old student, Ayana Minott who wore the sash Miss Beauty statement.

Maxwell was clearly one of the favourites from the time the eight contestants made their first appearance on stage for the talent presentation.

However the task of choosing the festival queen was still a difficult one for the panel of Judges, headed by chief Judge Mrs. Lynette Smith, base on the excellent performance of each of the contestant's, but happily their decision was widely accepted by those in attendance.

The other two Judges were Mrs. Susan Powell and Mr. Rudolph Betton, while the Auditor was Winston Clarke.

Miss St Ann and her runners up all received cash prizes, courtesy of Money Gram in addition to gift baskets from Soft Sheen Carson.

The queen's other prizes were a 20" television from Singer and a cellular phone from Digicel.

Maxwell was crowned and sashed by 2006 Festival Queen Kenniesha Newsome, who later told the Gleaner that she strongly believes that her successor will do very well in the National Competition.

Maxwell was happy to have come out on top and promised to proudly represent the people of St Ann during the period of her reign, she was also confident that she will do well in the National Festival Queen Finals.