Reigning Emo Fair Queen Samantha Loveday will pass along her crown tomorrow night to one of this year’s contestants—Chelsea Bragg, Sairah Chabot, Rebecca Mosbeck, Brittany Roen, Raylene Smith, and Bridgette Thompson.
The six girls have been very busy for most of the summer, but have also been enjoying the tasks like participating in parades around the district.
“But it’s getting down to the crunch, so it’s going to get busier,” noted Chabot during the contestant’s “Meet and Greet” barbecue Thursday at the Lions Park in Emo.
Some of the participants indicated they already had an idea of what to expect because they had helped friends prepare for the competition in past years.
“It’s been really great getting to know the other girls,” Bragg enthused.
While some of them may have known each other from high school, all the girls said they have become much closer, in addition to growing personally from the experience.
“It’s a lot of fun and it really matures you,” stressed Thompson. “You get involved in the community and gain a lot of experience and confidence.”
But with six girls competing for the crown, the event can get a bit stressful for the contestants.
“I think we’re all doing really well, but it’s in the judges hands,” she voiced.
Roen noted each girl wants to win, but she stressed she won’t “break down and cry” if she loses.
“I did it more for the experience,” she said. “I would definitely recommend others girls take part in it.”
“It’s not as intimidating as other people think,” Thompson echoed.
The contestants explained it’s not a beauty pageant, but about being a role model.
“The queen helps in the community and represents the fair,” Roen indicated.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” added Smith. “There are not a lot of natives who participate in the competition and I want to be a role model to little girls.”
The fair queen hopefuls have attended the Borderland stock car races where they painted children’s faces, participated in parades in the area, and helped paint the fence near the race track.
“We’ve been really pleased with the six girls,” noted Mary Croswell, who has helped organize the competition along with sisters Sis and Trish Wilson. Both are former Fair Queens who took on the role of organizing the competition last year from long-time director, Joyce Meyers.
“The time just goes by so quick—it’s been very busy,” Sis Wilson remarked.
The judging of the following six elements determines which of the girls will take the crown:
•Banners—the contestants make their own banners, which are judged on materials, originality, and overall appeal (worth 15 percent);
•Fashion Show—the contestants choose three outfits to model and are judged on poise, appropriateness of attire, and eye contact (worth 20 percent);
•Entertainment—the contestants prepare an entertaining number, which is judged on originality, preparation, and audience rapport (worth 20 percent);
•Interview—the contestants are asked a series of questions by the judges and are marked on composure and response (worth 15 percent);
•Float—the contestants decorate a float for the Fair parade and are judged on originality, effort, and use of recycled materials (worth 15 percent); and
•Button sales—the contestants sell promotional buttons and are assessed by the number of buttons sold (worth 15 percent).
The interview took place last week during a “Meet and Greet” barbecue, while the fashion show was held Monday night after a dinner to which the public was invited.
The six girls had to choose three outfits to model. The first showed a casual look with many of the girls sporting denim and flip-flops, while the second ensemble represented their future career goal whether it was being a photographer, lawyer, or firefighter.
Finally each modeled a formal dress and were escorted by their sponsors who include, Norfab, Tompkins Hardware, A Little Off The Top, Ted Halvorsen’s Top Soil Sales, Cloverleaf, and Circle D restaurant.
Like the fashion show, the results of the banners, interview, float, and button sales portions have already been determined, but will not be announced until the crowning tomorrow night, following the entertainment segment.
This year’s judges are Sue Herman, Morris Judson, Angela Cousineau, and Shelley McTavish.
Since the six contestants have become good friends, they all wish the others good luck.
“It really doesn’t matter who wins. Just being a part of it has been worth the experience,” Mosbeck noted.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
