Published: July 17, 2008 01:20 pm         

Fun at the fair

Crowning of young cowpokes among the highlights

The 6-year-old stepped up to the microphone at the 4-H fairgrounds and took a deep breath.

“Hi, my name is Syndey Moon,” she said, a deep, red blush covering her cheeks.

She then stepped back and took the hand of Miss Cass County 2008, Jenna Langley.

Moon was the first of 13 contestants who competed in the Little Miss Cowgirl and Mister Cowboy contest Wednesday night on the First Farmers Bank and Trust stage.

The idea of the competition is to allow young children to see what it’s like participating in the 4-H fair and to encourage them to continue to be involved as they grow older.

Children donned western attire such as sparkly vests, flannel shirts, jean skirts and different-colored cowboy boots. Parents eagerly sat in the audience, waving and cheering their children on, with cameras and video recorders capturing every moment.

Langley and her 2008 4-H queen court helped the children, while the five- and six-year-olds took the stage. Tim Cowell emceed the event.

As the children took the stage, they introduced themselves, followed by Cowell talking about their outfits and their hobbies, as Langley twirled them around to display what they were wearing to the audience.

Kasia Minnick said her daughter, Morgan, participated in the event because she watched her older sister, Mallory, do it a few years ago.

“She’s been anxiously awaiting this all summer,” Kasia said.

Kasia wondered whether her daughter could take the pressure.

“She’s not usually nervous, but in front of all these people, it’s always a nerve-wracking thing,” she said.

Jordan Harvey, Tai Staller and Devin Sailors judged the event. The children were judged on overall attire, self-confidence, poise, grooming and judge’s preference.

Staller said she thought the children did a good job.

“They were all so cute and presented themselves well,” she said.

Harvey agreed.

“For being so young, I think they did great,” she added.

Sailors said there were two clear-cut winners in the end, though. Wyatt Brumett, the only boy in the competition, and Jaedyn Day took the titles of king and queen.

Sailors said five-year-old Day had been chosen for her charisma and also because she helped her grandmother, Eve Streby, sew her vest.

Anita said her daughter, who also received first-runner up in Little Miss Miami County, has a passion for participating in pageants.

“She was so excited,” Anita said. “It was like a little kid at Christmas time. Like some little kids like to play ball, she asks when the next pageant is.”

Anita said the pageant started out rough for Jaedyn as tears rolled down her face in the beginning.

It was a positive ending, though, as Jaedyn walked around the fairgrounds, a crown on top of her head.

“She’s all smiles now,” Anita laughed.

Melissa Soria may be reached at (574) 732-5143 or via e-mail at melissa.soria@pharostribune.com



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