Applications available for Fayette County fair queen contest
The Fayette County Fair is accepting applications for the 2007 Fayette County Fair Queen, who will be selected on July 26, the first night of the fair. Charlotte DeCarlo, Fayette County Fair Queen contest coordinator, said the deadline for applications is July 14. Contestants must be no younger than 16 and no older than 20, never married, have no children and must reside in Fayette County. They don’t have to belong to 4-H but must have a knowledge of the fair.
The contestants will be judged in four areas: a written essay, speech, interview and evening gown.
The fair queen receives two scholarships, one sponsored by the carnival and one from West Virginia Career Institute, as well as other prizes.
All contestants receive a prize package.
The Fayette County Fair Queen contest began in the early 1980s. Rebecca Giles of Belle Vernon was selected the 2006 Fayette County Fair Queen and Kelsey Breakiron of Hopwood was the 2006 Fayette County Fair Princess.
The titles are awarded the first night of the fair and the queen and princess appear at events throughout the fair, which will be held July 26 through Aug. 4 this year.
“It’s nice to see the girls walking around in their crowns and at all the events. That’s why we have a fair queen and fair princess because sometimes the fair queen has to be in two places at the same time,” DeCarlo said. “They appear at the livestock shows and shows in the outdoor arena. Some years, the queens could sing and they would sing the national anthem. And they appear at the contests – apple pie and Hershey chocolate cake and cookie contests. And little girls love to see the queens and their crowns.”
DeCarlo said Fayette County has had great queens.
“Every queen represents herself well and it’s nice for the fair. It’s been a tradition for many years,’ said DeCarlo. “The fair queen contest and the firemen’s parade are both held the first night and they kick off the fair.’
The fair queen will travel to Hershey in January for the state fair queen competition. 2004 Fayette County Fair Queen Kristi Rooker won the state title in January 2005. The Fayette County fair princess is eligible to run again for fair queen the next year.
For more information, call DeCarlo at 724-245-2945 or the fair office at 724-628-FAIR.