By Tim Schmidt Record Managing Editor There still is time to be a Warren County Fair queen contestant. Organizers of the queen pageant said candidates will be accepted until Friday, May 23. The deadline has been extended to allow more local candidates to participate. So far, six candidates have signed up, according to Christy Bonstell, who helps oversee the event. She said numerous candidates have expressed interest in participating, but may believe the deadline has already passed. The maximum number of queen contestants is 25, Bonstell said. “It’ a good opportunity for girls in the community,” she said. “They learn about their community and learn about the work that goes into putting on the Fair. The girls always come away having a blast doing it.” The Fair parade will be held on Sunday, June 29, with the Fair to officially begin on July 1 and conclude July 5. The queen contest will be held on the opening night July 1. This year’s queen will be crowned by 2014 Fair Queen Hanna Keene. Candidates will compete in three segments: evening gown, personal interview and a speech that must be agricultural-related or go along with this year’s Fair theme, “Country Pride, Countywide.” To be eligible to participate, female candidates must be between the age of 17-20, and live in or attend a school located in Warren County, and not be married. Candidates may select their own sponsor or a committee can help find a sponsor, Bonstell noted. College scholarships await those candidates named to the queen’s court. This year’s Fair queen is awarded a $1,000 college scholarship. The first runner-up receives a $500 scholarship, with $400 and $300 scholarships presented to the second and third runners-up, respectively. Miss Congeniality, which is voted on by all queen candidates, receives a basketful of gifts worth up to $1,000. Members of the court are encouraged to attend various events held during the week of Fair. Bonstell noted that the amount of time spent helping out the Fair has been reduced compared to previous years. “It doesn’t take much time,” she said. “We have condensed it down. There are a few dates in June where we work.” A packet of forms that need to be filled out can be picked up at U.S. Title or Electric Beach in Warrenton or the American Bank branch in Wright City. For more information, Bonstell can be contacted at 636-359-9966.
County Fair queen contest
