Hoy crowned fair queen
WAYNESBURG – Royalty reigned supreme at the 2009 Greene County Fair as numerous local youths competed for the titles of fair queen and lamb and wool queen. This year’s fair unofficially kicked off on Saturday with the 23rd annual Fair Queen Pageant at the 4-H Building at the county fairgrounds. Three contestants competed for this year’s title, and at the pageant’s conclusion, Karlie Hoy was crowned fair queen.
Hoy is a 17-year-old daughter of Murray and Debra Hoy of Waynesburg. She will be a senior at Waynesburg Central High School this fall.
Jessica Roberts, 18-year-old daughter of Rick and Joann Roberts of Waynesburg, was named runner-up.
All of the contestants have been members of the 4-H and FFA program throughout their high school years.
Lindsey Longstreth, the 2008 fair queen, placed the crown on Hoy. Longstreth, who was a top five finalist at the Pennsylvania State Fair Queen Pageant earlier this year, said relinquishing her crown was “bittersweet.”
“It’s going to be nice showing my animal instead of running all over the place at the fair, but I’m going to miss it,” she said.
As for advice to the new fair queen, Longstreth said, “I hope she has a very well put together wardrobe. She’s going to need it.”
Attending the pageant was Greene County Commission Chairwoman Pam Snyder, who said she was proud of the contestants as well as the outgoing queen.
“Lindsey has served us beautifully for the last year and I’m sure Karlie will do the same,” Snyder said. “We’re very proud of the young ladies.”
Megan Moore, the 2007 fair queen, served as the event’s mistress of ceremonies. Moore said she never had been the announcer at any event before.
“It was nice being part of the fair pageant again, but it was kind of nerve-racking,” she said.
There were three judges for the pageant. Scott Henley, a resident of Pittsburgh, has been involved in pageantry for 12 years and has been a consultant to many pageant contestants. Katie Bennett, a resident of Mt. Morris, was the 1999 Miss Rain Day. Bennett has had many years of experience in public speaking. She is now an evangelist who travels with her husband, Tim Bennett. Brad Henry has been a judge of many pageants. He has traveled and performed with many recording artists.
The contestants had to write a 300-word essay regarding the fair and their community. The essay consisted of 15 points. The overall score also consisted of 35 points for personal interview; 20 points for evening gown/introduction; 30 points for speech presentation; and 25 points for answering an impromptu question.
Each contestant had to present a speech on the topic, “Why people should attend the Greene County Fair.” The impromptu question was on the topic of how they would deal with the problem of farmers trying to get agricultural aid from the Internet.
Debbie Stephenson, assistant manager of the Greene County Fair, organized the event.
Commissioner Archie Trader, who also was in attendance, said the annual pageant is an important aspect of the local fair.
“I think the pageant was excellent. There were very qualified judges. This is a great part of the fair, and it is great how the Greene County fair queen represents the county.”
As fair queen, Hoy will be involved with fair activities throughout the week and represent Greene County at the Pennsylvania State Fair Queen Pageant, which will be held in January.
Other agricultural royalty was honored during the weeklong fair.
Rachel Finnegan, 17-year-old daughter of Debbie Finnegan of New Freeport, was crowned Saturday as the lamb and wool queen. Finnegan also won the crown in 2008.
The competition annually consists of a 4-H or FFA lamb project, personal interview and speech. Contestants must be between 16 and 22 years old.
Janet Mawhinney, who served as mistress of ceremonies for the evening, explained to the crowd that the lead line competition promotes the wool industry. During the contest, the contestants wear a wool outfit with a complimentary decoration on the lamb. The contestants model around the ring first leading their lamb and then modeling their wool outfit.
“The economic crisis has been hitting the wool mills in both the United States and Europe,” Mawhinney said. “This event helps promote that wool is a fabric that can be worn throughout the year.”
The judges for the event were Kasey Butcher, Kathy Kerr and Lindsay Butcher Williams. All three judges have participated in 4-H.
There were three divisions of competition for the leadline contest. The senior division had a tie between Ashley Ziegler and Sadie Wright. In the intermediate division, first place went to Megan Eddy, followed by runner-up Alexis Greco. In the tiny tot division, the first-place winner was Emily Cook, followed by first runner-up Abigail Robinson and second runner-up Desiree Lemon.
Every contestant received a participation award.