The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner
The Henderson County 4-H Fair July 3-8, is fast approaching, but first on the agenda, before the fair can begin, is the Fair Queen and Little Miss pageant for selecting this year's 2006 Henderson County Fair Queen.
Plan to come to the pageant this Sunday, June 11th at the Raritan Opera House at 7:00 p.m.
The pageant is again this year being sponsored by The Antiquity of Stronghurst, with co-directors Sue Lyon and Stacie Arnold.
The Queen and Little Miss pageant began in 1993 by Paula Bigger and Laura Marshall of Doran Insurance. Then The Antiquity became involved for the past ten years with Kim Arnold taking over as director, and later Sue Lyon and Stacie Arnold co-directors.
4-H Fair Queens are actually "saints" with a crown, as the Fair Board can attest of last year's Henderson County Fair Queen Casey Cavanaugh, daughter of Henderson County States Attorney and Mrs. Ray Cavanaugh of rural Gladstone.
There has been no one working harder passing out ribbons and trophies, serving at the bank breakfast, and involved in every event, plus attending parades throughout the year to promote the fair. Now Casey is even involved in helping prepare for this Sunday's Fair Pageant.
This year's event will be held for the second year in Raritan at the Opera House which is actually a performance hall made for such events as pageants and plays.
It is being held three weeks prior to the event to give Queens some time to plan and to rest before the Fair actually starts and because the Opera House is busy closer to the 4th in celebration of Raritan's Sesquicentennial. It will also allow Co-Director Sue Lyon to take part in her son's wedding which is just prior to the fair.
The Opera House air conditioning has been fixed so the atmosphere will be more comfortable than last year's pageant.
According to Co-Director Sue Lyon, "The format for this year's pageant has been changed in order for more to go out," she said.
Not everyone may have a talent so they are having each girl give a speech on one of three topics: their country, their county, or the fair.
This year, they will also go back to selecting a "Little Miss" of the Henderson County Fair.
She will be able to wear a banner and have some designated duties apart from The Queen.
This year ten little misses from age 6 to 9 are in hopes of winning the "Little Miss" title.
Competing for the Henderson County Fair Queen title are six girls from age 15 to 19.
Businesses have been very generous donating gifts for prizes. The Raritan State Bank give gifts for the Little Misses, and The Queens will receive Savings Bonds from county banks, plus prizes are for Adventure Land tickets, McDonalds gift certificates, and other prizes.
The Queens are judged in four categories. First, an hour and a half before the event they will be interviewed and are judged. Then, during the pageant, they will be judged on their speech, their evening gown and modeling, and on their performance during a group dance they have been practicing.
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| Miranda Clark, 16, RR Kirkwood, daughter of Brian and Melinda Clark. | Lindsey Dilsaver, 17, Biggsville, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nick Kindig and Mr. and Mrs. Scott Dilsaver. | Robin Guile, 17, daughter of Robert and Tammy Guile of Stronghurst. |
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| Jordan Hukill, 15, RR Oquawka daughter of Bob and Wanda Price. | Sarah Heller, 16, RR Media, daughter of Ron and Tami Heller. | Danielle Waterman, 19, daughter of Richard and Tina Waterman of Stronghurst. |