Young women are being encouraged to apply for the Elizabethtown Fair Queen Program.
An informational night is set for Tuesday, May 26, from 7 to 8 p.m. on the Kiwanis Stage at the Elizabethtown Fairgrounds on East High Street in Elizabethtown. Attendance is optional, and social distancing guidelines will be observed. During the session, contestant documents and the schedule will be reviewed, essays and speeches will be discussed, fair books will be distributed, and questions will be answered.
To be eligible, contestants must live in Lancaster, Lebanon, or Dauphin county; be at least age 16 and not over age 20 by Monday, June 1; have her parent's or guardian's consent; be single and never married and have had no children and must not marry nor get pregnant during her reign; not be a former local fair queen winner or state contestant; and not hold any other state title for any other commodity group or pageant during her reign.
Components of the competition include a written essay of 300 words or fewer on the topic "What My Fair Means to My Community"; a personal interview; a three- to five-minute speech on the topic "Why You Should Come to My Fair"; and answering an impromptu question. Traditionally, part of the competition takes place on opening night of the Elizabethtown Fair. According to Fair Queen Program coordinator Lia Schmittel, the competition is still slated to take place in August.
Premiums for the Fair Queen and the alternate will be awarded as scholarships for higher education. The Fair Queen will receive $1,000, and the alternate will receive $500.
The Fair Queen will reign for one year. During her reign, she will participate in the Pennsylvania State Fair Queen Competition to be held in Hershey the following January. The Fair Queen will also participate in fair activities throughout the fair week and represent the fair at various functions during her reign.
Monday, June 1, is the deadline to submit biographical information and a signed photograph release form. The deadline to submit a typed digital copy of the contestant essay and application to the Fair Queen Program coordinator is Saturday, Aug. 1.
Applications must be submitted fully online using Google forms. For more information, including applications and updates, readers may search for "Elizabethtown Fair Queen Program" on Facebook or email etownfairqueen@gmail.com.
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