MANSFIELD — A new court now reigns over the Richland County Fair, with Warren Rehberg and Kelcie Chance leading the pack as this year’s junior fair king and queen.
The Richland County Junior Fair King and Queen Pageant and Coronation was held Sunday night in the John Hartz building at the fairgrounds.
Of 11 queen contestants and two king contestants, the judges chose Nathan Volz of Ready 2 Ride 4-H as king first runner-up; Susanna Crouch of Clover Clan 4-H as queen first runner-up; and Laurasen Combs of Freedom Wranglers 4-H as queen second runner-up.
About 60 percent of each contestant’s score was based on his or her service and leadership in the junior fair, according to Judy Villard-Overocker, 4-H extension educator. The remaining percentage was based on their poise and presentation, activities that they’re involved in, and answer to an onstage question.
“To be the king and queen is the highest honor that we give to any of our kids that participate in the junior fair,” Overocker said.
The king and queen have a number of duties and responsibilities, which includes handing out ribbons and trophies at the different shows during fair week.
“First and foremost, they’re our ambassadors for the junior fair,” Overocker said.
Rehberg, a senior at Shelby High School, said he’s excited to begin his reign.
I’m really looking forward to the week to come, getting to hand out ribbons, shake hands and meet a lot of people,” he said.
Rehberg already has some experience as royalty; he was named runner-up in last year’s competition. “I got to go to a couple fairs last year as runner-up and it was just a great time,” he said.
The 18-year-old has been in 4-H for six years and is currently a member of Country Kids 4-H and Shelby FFA. He shows market ducks at the fair.
“I love the ducks,” he said. “They’re so much fun to work with, and they’re kind of quirky, too, so they have fun personalities.”
Chance, a recent graduate of Crestview High School, shows market hogs. She has been in 4-H since she was five, making this her 13th year in the program. She’s a camp counselor and serves on the junior fair board and the 4-H committee.
“Pretty much everything I can be on I’m on,” she said.
She plans on attending Ashland University and majoring in nursing.
Last year, she participated in the pageant at the encouragement of a friend who was also a contestant. Though she didn’t make court, she didn’t let that stop her from competing again. “So I did and here I am,” she said with a smile.
Chance said it was a fun experience to go through.
“I’m so proud of every single person up there,” she said. “They all deserved it.”
