Crowned as Steelville’s 2025 royalty at the 37th Annual Christmas Pageant on Dec. 9 were Prince Beckham Nix and Princess Maddison Richards. Steelville Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event that was held sponsored the event that was held at the Meramec Music Theatre.

Cason Meintz was the runner-up prince, and Raylynn Richter was the runner-up princess.

Twenty children participated in the annual pageant and visited with Santa. They all sang “Jingle Bells” together, and each child also received a goody bag from Santa.

Nix is the five-year-old son of Josh and Kayla Nix. He has a brother, a sister and two dogs: a chihuahua named Bella and a goldendoodle named Holly. His favorite foods are chicken strips, mac and cheese and apples. He likes the colors red and black, and enjoys playing football and basketball. He loves all Christmas and bedtime stories about Jesus. His favorite movie is “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and he loves the song “Centuries” by Fall Out Boy and all Forrest Frank songs. For Christmas, he has asked Santa to bring him a basketball goal.

Richards is the six-year-old daughter of Nathan Richards and Lillie West. She has a brother and a lot of pets, including four dogs, two cats, eight chickens, two goats, two rabbits and too many fish to name. Her favorite foods are mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, taco meat and rice. She likes the colors pink and purple, and enjoys playing hide and seek or tag. Her favorite movies are Monster High one and two and Frozen. She loves the song “Golden” from “K-pop Demon Hunters,” and her favorite toys are stuffed animals and Barbies. For Christmas, she would like Santa to bring her makeup and makeup brushes.

Meintz, runner-up prince, is the five-year-old son of Dalton and Emily Meintz. He has a brother, a sister, two dogs named Duke and Macie and one cat named Chloe. His favorite food is pizza, likes the color blue and he enjoys playing Jenga. His favorite movie is “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and he loves the song “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone. His favorite toy is a bouncing bull. For Christmas, he has asked Santa to bring him a giant playhouse with a spiral slide.

Richter, runner-up princess, is the four-year-old daughter of Robbie and Candice Richter. She has three brothers, two horses, one cow, chickens and dogs. Her favorite food is chicken strips, she loves the color pink and enjoys playing the game “I Spy.” Her favorite movie is “Wicked,” and she loves the song “Girl On Fire” by Alicia Keys. She also loves to play dress up. For Christmas, she has asked Santa to bring her a wiener dog.

Retiring prince and princess Evander Adair, son of Stephanie Adair and Wesley Adair, and Haylee Zimmer, daughter of Samantha and Michael Zimmer, made an appearance towards the end of the pageant.

Other participants in the pageant were James Martin, son of Jared and Sarah Stites; Ryan O’Toole, son of Candice O'Toole; Daelynn Richards, daughter of Ryan and Courtney Richards; Paisley Reeves, daughter of Terry and Jessica Reeves; Liam Porter, son of Amber Woolfrey and Richie Porter; Hauston Michael Cranmer, son of Trevor and Kelsey Cranmer; Emma Martin, daughter of Bethany and Eric Martin; Eloise Jean Reese, daughter of Kyle and Steph Reese; Kinsley Sanders, daughter of Chris and Erica Sanders; Waylon O’Toole, son of Candice O'Toole; Karter Becker, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Becker; Ophelia Violet White,  daughter of Rebecca and John White; Payslee Williams, daughter of Matthew and Heather Williams; Joshua “Clay” Nix, son of Josh and Kayla Nix; Olive Harriet White, daughter of Rebecca and John White; and Josie Kay Midyett, daughter of Shelby Britton and Elliot Midyett.

The pageant was emceed by the 2025 Harvest Festival Queen First Runner-up Haylee Williams, and Santa’s Helper was 2025 Harvest Festival Queen Second Runner-up Kierra Frazier.

Judges this year were Charley Leonard, Danielle Casarotto and Charisma Pippin.