Rocky Grove High School students Jaimie Thomas and Cailyn Shaffer stood holding each other's hands to support one another in the center of the grandstand stage at the Venango County Fairgrounds Sunday. Moments earlier they emerged from the Venango County Fair's cow barns looking like they were heading to the prom. They made their way across the dusty paths avoiding small mud puddles to the grandstand where a small crowd awaited their entrance in their formal gowns.
Not your typical fair attire that's for sure.
The two contestants introduced themselves and then had to await the judges decision who would be crowned the very first Venango County Fair queen. This is a new pageant according to fair board member Dan Nicklin, who said this is different than the 4-H queen and king which are generally picked by the 4-Hers.
The two contestants introduced themselves and then had to await the judges decision who would be crowned the very first Venango County Fair queen. This is a new pageant according to fair board member Dan Nicklin, who said this is different than the 4-H queen and king which are generally picked by the 4-Hers.
This Fair Queen will go on to the State Farm show to represent the county this winter.
As the two friends stood together they supported each other by holding hands and chatting in the center of the stage. The four judges tallied the results from their essay, an earlier interview and speech, and their welcoming announcement to the crowd.
As the two friends stood together they supported each other by holding hands and chatting in the center of the stage. The four judges tallied the results from their essay, an earlier interview and speech, and their welcoming announcement to the crowd.
No one was more surprised than Thomas when her name roared out over the loud speakers. "I was shocked," she said. "It's very exciting. It is a pleasure that I'm able to be the first queen."
As queen, Thomas will greet visitors to the fairgrounds in the ticket booth and walk around the fair this week.
She will also make appearances outside the fair to promote what the fair does for the community. She will appear at the annual 4-H at the Mall event as well as Franklin's Light Up Night this fall. But most importantly she will be the first ever Venango County representative in the State Farm Show Pageant this winter
"I'm super proud her, this is super out of her comfort zone. So for her to even try ... I'm so proud of her that she took that little step outside of her box," her mom Sara Watson said.
She will also make appearances outside the fair to promote what the fair does for the community. She will appear at the annual 4-H at the Mall event as well as Franklin's Light Up Night this fall. But most importantly she will be the first ever Venango County representative in the State Farm Show Pageant this winter
"I'm super proud her, this is super out of her comfort zone. So for her to even try ... I'm so proud of her that she took that little step outside of her box," her mom Sara Watson said.
Shaffer will serve as the first alternate and they will both be around helping to promote the fair and the Fair Queen program for future generations.
Below are the contestants' essays answering the question "What my fair means to my community."
Below are the contestants' essays answering the question "What my fair means to my community."
Jaimie Thomas
My fair, the Venango County Fair, plays a key role in my community for small businesses, education and building relationships.
Small businesses in the area benefit from the fair in multiple ways. The fair brings in
additional traffic to the Franklin area which allows small businesses to market their products to
more people - often creating loyal customers from both in and out of town.
In similar ways, it allows organizations like volunteer fire departments to raise money using booths at the fair. The fair also educates the youth and families in the community about the agriculture industry and where their food comes from through talking to exhibitors.
Exhibitors also continue to build skills like communication, respect and personal relationships with many community members. 4-H also provides members opportunities to earn scholarships which help with
further education. This enables young adults to bring their knowledge back to our community
and improve the agriculture practices we use.
My community also benefits from the fair by the relationships it creates. Exhibitors and
community members gather in one spot to see the animals, the exhibits and the special events
such as the demolition derby and livestock auction. Enjoying these events together creates a
unique bond among the community members who can rely on and help each other in times of
need.
These are just a few reasons why the Venango County Fair plays a key role in my
community for small businesses, education and building relationships. Most importantly, it brings
the community together. Because when a community is bonded together we are stronger and
can make positive changes in and around the place we call home.
Small businesses in the area benefit from the fair in multiple ways. The fair brings in
additional traffic to the Franklin area which allows small businesses to market their products to
more people - often creating loyal customers from both in and out of town.
In similar ways, it allows organizations like volunteer fire departments to raise money using booths at the fair. The fair also educates the youth and families in the community about the agriculture industry and where their food comes from through talking to exhibitors.
Exhibitors also continue to build skills like communication, respect and personal relationships with many community members. 4-H also provides members opportunities to earn scholarships which help with
further education. This enables young adults to bring their knowledge back to our community
and improve the agriculture practices we use.
My community also benefits from the fair by the relationships it creates. Exhibitors and
community members gather in one spot to see the animals, the exhibits and the special events
such as the demolition derby and livestock auction. Enjoying these events together creates a
unique bond among the community members who can rely on and help each other in times of
need.
These are just a few reasons why the Venango County Fair plays a key role in my
community for small businesses, education and building relationships. Most importantly, it brings
the community together. Because when a community is bonded together we are stronger and
can make positive changes in and around the place we call home.
Cailyn Shaffer
The Venango County Fair celebrates everyone’s successful learning and showing off the
best from this year’s harvest and handmade crafts. This fair is quite vital to my community and it
means the whole world to them.
The week is fully packed with exciting events from the horse shows all the way to the derbies and fireworks. To my community this is the place to be, which is why a lot of people take the whole week off from work or their normal daily activities.
This all just because they want to enjoy their fair.
Our fair has provided a meeting place, a recreation area, and a lovely camping site for those to enjoy. The Venango County Fair is the place to be, not just because of the lovely animals or the roaring demo derby, but because it took a community to put it together. It is also a chance for 4-H alumni to see what their clubs are doing at the fair this year and a chance for them to meet old friends once again.
It is a great way for them to say “Thank you 4-H” for helping them shape their future. The youth get to engage and connect with others that have the same interests as them. Each one of us is making enjoyable
memories year after year.
These memories are the reason why my community cares for our fair. Our fair has provided entertainment for youth and adults for many years and plans to continue this for many years to come.
best from this year’s harvest and handmade crafts. This fair is quite vital to my community and it
means the whole world to them.
The week is fully packed with exciting events from the horse shows all the way to the derbies and fireworks. To my community this is the place to be, which is why a lot of people take the whole week off from work or their normal daily activities.
This all just because they want to enjoy their fair.
Our fair has provided a meeting place, a recreation area, and a lovely camping site for those to enjoy. The Venango County Fair is the place to be, not just because of the lovely animals or the roaring demo derby, but because it took a community to put it together. It is also a chance for 4-H alumni to see what their clubs are doing at the fair this year and a chance for them to meet old friends once again.
It is a great way for them to say “Thank you 4-H” for helping them shape their future. The youth get to engage and connect with others that have the same interests as them. Each one of us is making enjoyable
memories year after year.
These memories are the reason why my community cares for our fair. Our fair has provided entertainment for youth and adults for many years and plans to continue this for many years to come.
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