MOUNT VERNON — The 2024 Knox County Fair opened on Sunday under fair skies and sunshine. The opening ceremonies included the crowning of Reagan Ward as Knox County Fair Queen.
In her 10th year of 4-H, Ward has shown broilers for nine years and a turkey for one year.
“I’m in shock. I can’t believe it,” Ward said.
Her duties as queen include attending the Junior Fair shows and passing out awards. She will also participate in local parades throughout the year.
“The fair queen interacts with the community,” she said. “We represent the fair to the community.”
Ward will also serve as the Knox County Fair’s ambassador to other counties.
“Our goal to visit as many fairs as we can, including the Ohio State Fair,” she said. “Being named queen makes me OFMA eligible, so that’s another thing I’m excited about.”
OFMA is the Ohio Fair Managers Association.
Vivian Noble, Kennedy Auker, and Madisyn Weekley join Ward as her court.
Other 2024 fair royalty includes:
•Gracie Lucas, Junior Poultry Ambassador
•Bella Bile, Junior Sheep Ambassador
•Taylor Thorne, Senior Goat Ambassador
•Arthur Hollenback, Senior Beef Ambassador
•Jaelynn Plumly, Equine Princess
•Bristol Hegemier, Junior Rabbit Ambassador
•Trysten Kilgore, Senior Rabbit Ambassador
•Jenelle Doup, Senior Poultry Ambassador
•Ella Buton, Senior Dairy Ambassador
The Senior Fair Board also awarded lifetime passes to several individuals during opening ceremonies:
•Dick and Pat Rine
•Brian and Brenda Stafford
•Jill Durbin, in memory of her late husband, Fair Board Director Brian Durbin
•Tiffany and Tommy Burke accepted a lifetime pass in memory of Mike and Cristia Small.
The fair, which runs from July 20 through July 27, is celebrating its 175th anniversary.
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