Beauty Reigns at Tucker County Fair

By Dave Snyder
The Parsons Advocate

The threat of storms were real, however, the weather did not dampen the enthusiasm for the Tucker County Fair Queen pageant.

There is more involved with naming a junior queen, teen queen, and Queen Daphne than just the pageant. Master of Ceremonies Dani Wilfong said, “The participants sign up months in advance of the pageant. This gives them time to work on such things as their fair promotionals. They also have to rehearse during the week before the pageant. Each girl had to be interviewed by the judges as a part of their evaluation. Wilfong said this occurred before the pageant itself.

Once the pageant began, each component of the competition moved along fairly quickly. The evening started with each contestant modeling casual wear. Each girl presented a promotional, where he girls was to put in a pitch for people to attend the Tucker County Fair. There were different approaches taken to this – some humorous and some serious. This seemed to be much enjoyed by the audience.

Promotionals were followed by evening gown modeling. The last activity on the agenda was an on stage question. Examples of the on stage questions are as follows “Who do you look up to the most, and why?”; “What three items would you place in a time capsule?”; “If you could vacation anywhere in the world, where would it be?”; If I were a visitor to Tucker County, where would you take me?”

The winners participated in fair activities throughout the week. They will also ride in various parades. In addition, Mary Beth Carr will receive a five hundred dollar scholarship as Queen Daphne for 2017 – 2018.

Laney Burns was named Junior Queen, Calista Eye was named Teen Queen and Mary Beth Carr was named Queen Daphne for 2017 – 2018.

Burns is the daughter of Stephanie and Digger Burns. She is a sixth grader at Tucker Valley Elementary Middle School. Burns said, “Being in front of all those people was a little scary, but I loved winning.”

I loved bonding with people. I think this will help me with such things as job interviews in the future.” Eye is the daughter of Valerie and Michael Eye. She is a sophomore at Tucker County High School.

Carr is the daughter of Melinda Pennington. She is currently a sophomore at Tucker County High School, where she is a member of the TCHS girls track team and is active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She has been a 4-H member for eight years is currently treasurer for the Clover Crusaders 4-H club.

All three winners participated in fair activities throughout the week. They also will ride in various parades. In addition, Mary Beth Carr will receive a five hundred dollar scholarship as Queen Daphne for 2017 – 2018. Carr said, “All the people being here was great and I am thankful for the experience.”

Tanna Smith, Director of the Tucker County Fair Queen pageant put much effort into the proceedings. In addition to helping the girls prepare, she also decorated the stage area for the pageant.

Smith said, “The girls need to know they can be who they want to be, not who somebody else wants them to be. The pageant, along with other fair activities, is an option for them.”