Queen OHFBy Martha B. Jacob –
The Ohio Rural Heritage Association will host its second annual Queen Pageant on Thursday evening, Sept. 1, 2016.
The Ohio Rural Heritage Festival will be held from Thursday, Sept. 1 through Saturday, Sept. 3 in the Village of Ripley and the Queen of the Festival Pageant will be the highlight of the Friday ceremonies.
The contest will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. on the main stage, according to Kim Stacy, pageant director.
“Contestants for the festival queen must be between the ages of 16 and 21,” Stacy said. “Our judges will be considering three criteria.
“First, the girls will be judged on an essay they are required to write about their hometown heritage/history, and how they see it. This essay must be submitted with their application. It looks like we’ve already got some very worthy appliants.”
Stacy said the contestants will also be included in a formal evening gown competition.
“During the actual competition, the girls will be asked a specific question,” Stacy added. “The question, which will be asked while the girls are on stage will be chosen randomly in a drawing format by each girl.”
The winner of the pageant will receive title of Ohio Rural Heritage Queen along with a monetary award. The chosen queen will participate in the presentation of awards for festival activities on Saturday, Sept. 2.
She will also be required to attend two fundraising events throughout the year, held locally to help raise funds for next year’s Ohio Rural Heritage Association.
“We would like to invite any qualified girls who would like to represent our festival to please pick up an application,” Stacy said, “They can be picked up at 117 Main Street in Ripley or print one off the website ohioruralfestival.com.”
For more information please contact Stacy at (513) 532-3852.