MOUNT VERNON — Big hairy spiders, carrots and green slime were discussed during the Little Miss and Little Mr. Knox County pageant on Sunday, the opening day of the Knox County Fair.
Kensley Titus, of Fredericktown, was awarded the title of Little Miss Knox County, sporting a white tiara and red-sparkled dress. The crowd gave a thunderous applause when interviewer and MC Samantha Conant announced Titus as the winner.
Kue Clinedinst, of Mount Vernon, became the first Little Mr. Knox County, wearing a white-button shirt, blue bow tie and suspenders. With a big grin on his face, Clinedinst accepted his award. He put on his “Little Mr.” cap and posed for several pictures with Titus for family members and media.
“I’m very surprised,” Clinedinst said.
In the future, Clinedinst would like to show animals at the fair, perhaps chickens and pigs.
Nine Little Mr. Knox County candidates and 21 Little Miss Knox County candidates filled the staging area, with it being the first annual Little Mr. show. It was the 30th year of the Little Miss Knox County pageant.
Contestants were asked what they wanted to be when they grew up, what they would spent money on, and what they believed to be the grossest thing imaginable. Some said big spiders, green slime and vegetables like carrots, which brought chuckles from the audience.
A panel of judges determined the winners based on the quality of each contestants’ answers.
“It’s a great community engagement event,” Conant said before the pageant began. “It gets folks interested in what the fair has to offer.”
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