Wilson wins fair queen crown

Trisha Wilson of Barwick was crowned the 2004 Emo Fair queen last Thursday night after the entertainment portion of the pageant.
The 17-year-old also captured the Dorothy Bonot Award, which is given to the contestant who is personable, organized, community-minded, has a positive attitude, and demonstrates leadership.
Bonot was responsible for the first Emo Fair queen pageant. The award, first presented in 1999, was created in her honour after she passed away from cancer.
Meanwhile, Leanne Beck, 18, of Devlin was named both First Princess and Miss Congeniality while Alana Wieringa, 18, was named Second Princess.
Also participating in the pageant were Kim Olson, 18, and Tiffanie Whitefish, 17.
During the big announcement, the house lights were dimmed, coloured spotlights came on, and a machine began blowing hundreds of bubbles into the air.
Afterwards, a beaming Wilson was congratulated on stage by her grandfather, Cecil, whose voice she used in her entertainment performance earlier in the evening.
“I loved it,” she said of the experience.
“I actually told my dad I was going to run for Miss Universe,” she added, laughing.
Both princess also valued the experience.
“Oh my gosh, yes,” replied Beck when asked if it had been worthwhile. “It was stressful, but fun.”
“It was a lot of work, but fun,” agreed Wieringa. “It was worth it.”
The crowning took place following the entertainment portion, where each contestant performed for the crowd on hand upstairs at the Emo-La Vallee Community Centre.
For her entertainment, Wilson sang “Grandpa” by the Judds, framed by a short skit using the recorded voice of her grandfather, Cecil.
Both princesses used humour in their performances, with Beck doing original stand-up material and Wieringa telling Jeff Foxworthy-type redneck jokes while dressed in a double-brimmed baseball cap, a plaid shirt, and jeans with a large belt buckle.
“If you think the Olympic sport of curling is part of the big hair competition, you’re probably a redneck,” she told a laughing crowd.
Whitefish sang Christina Aguilera’s “I Turn to You,” accompanied by a slide show with pictures of her and her family, while Olson performed a skit about camping.
The judging was based not only on the girls’ talents, but also on their banners, floats, interviews, fashion show, and button sales.
Whitefish, whose sponsor was Emo Drugs, took first place in the banner competition. Wieringa, sponsored by Norlund Oil (2003) Ltd., won second, followed by Wilson (McLean’s Auto Body) in third.
Beck was sponsored by Tim Hortons while Olson was sponsored by Tompkins Hardware.
For their floats, Wieringa placed first, Wilson second, and Whitefish third. Beck and Wilson tied for first in the interview, with Whitefish placing second and Wieringa in third.
Wilson took first at the fashion show that was held the previous Monday night (Aug. 16). Beck took second and Whitefish placed third.
Last year’s Emo Fair royalty—Mallory Woolsey, Jodi Caul, and Christina Bombay—were on hand to pass their crowns and banners to this year’s winners.
In related news, the fair’s mini-queen and mini-king were crowned Saturday afternoon, with the winners being Martina Morrisseau and Austin Ewen.
Ewen’s mother, Kandi, was particularly excited for her son. She had been named Second Princess in the Emo Fair queen pageant back in 1995.