Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Kids, parents, grandparents and friends filled the Activity Tent at the county fair Tuesday to see the 2000 Cutie Kings and Queens crowned.
Two sets of cutie royalty were crowned - one for children up to age 2, and one for kids ages 3 and 4.
Emily Rose Brandon, 2, daughter of Kent and Patricia Brandon of Warsaw, was crowned Cutie Queen for the younger set, while Gavin Todd Smith, 2, son of Todd and Amy Smith, was the Cutie King.
Runners-up in the first age bracket were: first runner-up - king, Jared Templin, 2, son of Terry and Karen Templin, Leesburg; queen, MaKenna DeeAn Phillips, 2-1/2, daughter of Jerry and Rachelle Phillips, Warsaw. Second runners-up were: king, Derek Michael Ault, 2, son of Bud and Kristi Ault, Warsaw; queen, Megan Strickler, 2, daughter of Missi and Matt Strickler, Warsaw.
Sixteen boys and 17 girls were in the cutie king and queen contest for 3- and 4-year-olds. Caitlin Clevenger, 3, daughter of Buster and Heather Clevenger, North Webster, was crowned queen; and Dakota Funnell, 4, son of Clint and Markay Funnell, South Whitley, was selected king.
Runners-up in the 3- and 4-year-old category were: first runner-up, king - Jordan Stookey, 4, son of Jeff and Marla Stookey, Milford; queen - Braiden Storm Grindle, 3, daughter of Christi Hancock and Jim Grindle, Warsaw. Second runners-up, king - David Goon, 3, son of Mitch and Kay Goon, Warsaw; and queen - Taylor Smith, 4, daughter of Todd and Amy Smith, Warsaw.
The junior talent show also took place Tuesday, with judges from the Wagon Wheel Theatre. The top three talent acts were: first place - April Kuhn, Bourbon, and Hillary Umbaugh, Warsaw, dance group; second place - Skye Scott, Warsaw, vocal solo; and third place, Erin Kantz, Milford, instrumental solo (see photo on page 10B).
The Little Miss and Mister contest begins at 8 p.m. today in the Activity Tent. Winners from tonight's contest will go on to compete in the Indiana State Fair.
Today is Kiddies Day at the fair, with child-oriented activities, such as a Ronald McDonald magic show at 3 p.m. and a kiddies pedal tractor pull at 6 p.m.
The senior talent contest will be at 6:30 p.m. in the Activity Tent.
Also today is the 4-H sheep show at 1 p.m., horse and pony versatility at 6:30 p.m. in the horse arena and the rabbit illustrated talk at 7 p.m. in the rabbit barn.
As usual, the midway opens at 1 p.m. today and, for kiddies day, all rides are priced at $1 each until closing.
Thursday at the 4-H end of the fairgrounds, horse and pony Western contesting begins at 9 a.m. and the dairy show is at 9:30 a.m.
Supreme showmanship for dairy calf feeder steer, goat, rabbit, poultry and dairy will be at 3 p.m. Thursday and, for horse, sheep, swine and beef will be at 6:30 p.m., both in the show arena.
Thursday is Senior Citizen's and Farmer's Day at the fair, and admission for fairgoers who are 65 years old or older will be $1 per person.
The senior queen contest will be at noon Thursday in the Activity Tent, where Alicia Rose will entertain at 1 p.m. A recognition ceremony for "good works and heroes" will take place at 4 p.m. and the evening's entertainment, Spike and the Bulldogs, is scheduled for 8 p.m.
