Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
If the number of people showing up on opening night is any indication, then this year's county fair should be a whopping success.
No rides were operating yet on the midway, but the food booths were in full swing Monday night in time for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 6 p.m.
The National Guard presented colors at the ceremony, the Brass Wind Quintet entertained, and Steve Trump, president of the Kosciusko County Fair Association, introduced the committees and individuals responsible for the fair.
Ribbon-cutting duties were handled by 4-H fair queen Michelle Lamb and county fair queen Brooke Geiger.
After opening ceremonies, the Activity Tent filled with spectators for two pageants: the Junior Miss and Mister Kosciusko contest and the Miss Teenage Kosciusko pageant.
Emphasizing that the purpose of the pageants was not to highlight beauty, but to boost self-esteem, master of ceremonies (and 1997 county fair queen) Jamie Teel said, "We want to emphasize that all children are beautiful and special."
Seventeen girls between the ages of 8 and 11 competed for the title of Junior Miss Kosciusko, and seven boys vied for Junior Mister Kosciusko.
Different this year was the format of the pageant, with Teel asking each contestant questions about goals, hobbies, pets or their favorite subject in school.
Junior Miss Kosciusko was Ashlie Montel, 8, daughter of Mark and Cindy Montel, Claypool.
Junior Mister Kosciusko was Andy Keener, 9, son of Dave and Gina Keener, Leesburg.
Montel and Keener each received a $75 family portrait from Bob List Photography, a free pizza from Pizza Hut and a free Whopper from Burger King. Montel received a gift certificate to Kandy Korner, and Keener received CDs from CDs Plus.
First runner-up for the Junior Miss contest was April Renee Yocum, 8, daughter of Todd and Marsha Yocum, Pierceton; second runner-up was Sierra Sims, 8, daughter of Tom and Kathie Sims, Warsaw.
First runner-up for the Junior Mister Kosciusko contest was Tyler Trobaugh, 10, son of Kent and Barb Trobaugh, Leesburg; second runner-up was Brandon Blair, 9, son of Robert and Linda Blair, Warsaw.
Seven girls competed for the title of Miss Teenage Kosciusko, which went to Bethany Phillips, 14, daughter of Joe and Sabrina Phillips, Mentone.
Phillips received a family portrait, $25 worth of Jaffra cosmetics and skin care products, a free facial, a gift certificate from American Table Restaurant and a Whopper from Burger King.
First runner-up was Kassie Bays, 12, daughter of Rocky and Tara Bays, Warsaw; second runner-up was Candace May, 14, daughter of Mike and Donna May, Warsaw.
Judges for the pageant were former fair queens Sue Bradway, Brenda Hamman and Londa Downs.
Activities for today, which is 4-H Leaders' Appreciation Day, include the 4-H swine show and horse and pony showmanship this morning, the llama show at noon and the dairy judging contest at 7:30 p.m.
The Merchants' Tent will be open from 4 to 11 p.m. today, and the rides on the midway will begin at 4 p.m., with wristbands available for $13.
The Cutie King and Queen contest is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in the Activity Tent, and the Junior Talent contest, for ages 12 and under, in the Activity Tent at 8 p.m.
Also at 8 p.m., "Roughshod" will entertain in the grandstand for free.
Wednesday is Kiddies' Day at the fair, with special programs and activities for children, including a tour of the barns at 10 a.m., a frog jumping contest at 12:30 p.m., a Ronald McDonald magic show at 2 p.m. and a watermelon eating and seed spitting contest at 4 p.m.
Rides will run Wednesday from 1 to 11 p.m., with the price of each ride reduced to $1.
At the 4-H end of the fairgrounds, the dairy calf feeder show is scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, with the pigeon, poultry and waterfowl competition at 8:30 a.m. and the horse and pony English and contesting at 9 a.m.
