The Bellville Street Fair celebrated its 163rd year this past week; and there are often surprises—the winners, the friends and family from other states who weren’t expected, or maybe a new event. But this year, no one could have anticipated the debut of the young singer who performed after Ronald McDonald issued an invitation.
Ronald McDonald? Yes, Ronald McDonald, the real Ronald McDonald, has been emceeing the doll and pet shows for a number of years. The Fair Board’s Bob Price has connections and bringing Ronald McDonald to the fair adds special character to the already popular children’s contests. But this year onlookers were surprised when, in between events, Ronald McDonald ask if anyone in the audience could sing–and did they have a lot of courage.
Hope Cook, 10, tentatively raised her hand. And the audience, and Ronald, received quite a surprise. She stepped forward and Ronald McDonald asked her what she was going to sing. Never having performed before such a large audience or unexpectedly, she hesitated.
“I was really nervous,” said Cook, “But once, at our Fourth of July party, I sang the National Anthem. My mom said I just need to start singing, instead of waiting too long because I got too nervous.”
So she looked at Ronald McDonald and said that she would sing the National Anthem. The video below was filmed by her family. Hope Cook is lost a bit in the shadows, but it doesn’t matter. Her voice is clear and she accomplished quite a feat, singing a song that many trained or practiced vocalists struggle with.
She first sang at her grandparents’ pub on karaoke night when she was five years old. She sang the ABCs. She doesn’t take voice lessons but she does study dance at Broadway Bound Dance Centre in New Albany, OH. She dances with a competition team and performs ballet, lyrical dance, jazz, and Broadway theater.
“I’m at the fair because that’s where my family is from,” stated Cook. Her mother is the former Amy Hollar, and her grandfather is Kenny Hollar. Family members who were able to see her performance inlcuded her mother and brother, Logan; Kim Hollar; and Marie Shisler. Her maternal grandmother, Cindy Rice, is also from the community.
Hope Cook participated in the Doll Show and showed her Grandma Becky’s doll, winning in the Best Large Doll category. The doll has a special Bellville fair connection. Her grandfather won the doll 54 years ago at the Bellville Street Fair and gave it to her grandmother.
Cook’s family lives in Johnstown. Her mother, Amy Cook, teaches music at New Albany.
“She sings in the classroom on recital days,” said Amy Cook, “but this is the most people she’s ever sung in front of.”
There were more than 100 people sitting in the bleachers at the Bellville Street Fair watching the doll and pet shows.
Her father, Steve Cook, missed the performance. Steve Cook is with the Army National Guard’s 137th Aviation Battalion and he was in Texas for annual training. Fortunately, he was able to see and hear the video performance.
What does she want to be when she grows up?
“I want to be a fashion designer. I also want to be a singer and dancer. I couldn’t pick either one; I like them both equally,” Hope Cook stated.
My mom said I just need to start singing, instead of waiting too long because I got too nervous,” stated Hope Cook.
