Fair holds pageant, concert
By Kelly Kingen
Summer
Reporter
Don't be misled to think that the Tippecanoe County
Fair only appeals to animal lovers. This weekend the county fair will
not only hold its annual Fair Queen Pageant but it will also hold a new
event, the county music showcase.
Dan Dunten, 4-H director and extension educator,
said the county fair has been portrayed as an event just for children
and families living on farms, but the fair has more to offer people. Only
15 out of 100 4-H members live on farms, he added.
Jennifer Blume, a sophomore in the School of Education
and a 10 year 4-H member, said, "The fair isn't just about animals and
for farm kids. There is so much to do."
Blume, along with 11 other Purdue students will be
competing for the title of Miss Tippecanoe County Fair Queen at 8 p.m.
on Saturday night.
Other Purdue students participating in the pageant
include Rachel Adams, Amber Kochert, Hannah Anderson, Jennifer Felix,
Amber Ferner, Ashley Welchans, Lora Walton, Elizabeth Thayer, Mary Hellan
Nesbitt, Ashlaine McDole and Jennifer LaGuire. Twelve of the 24 contestants
in this year’s pageant are Purdue Students.
Jan Jennings, a senior at Jefferson High School and
a contestant in the pageant, said ever since she was a little girl she
wanted to be in the pageant.
Jennings said she will be the first participate to
go out on stage. "I was kind of nervous about that, but I'll be the first
one everybody sees. They always remember the first and last person," Jennings
said.
Kochert said she is less nervous about this year’s
pageant after having the experience of going through the event last year.
Kochert said she was excited and confident about this year’s pageant.
In order to be eligible to participate in the pageant
the contestants must be least 17 years of age and have been a 4-H member
for at least four years, Dunten said.
The winner of the pageant will receive a $1,000 scholarship,
a chance to represent Tippecanoe County at the state fair and will also
participate in the Lafayette Christmas Parade later on in the year.
Kochert said that the fair queen has several duties
throughout the week. The fair queen is expected to participate in the
annual greased watermelon contest, attend fair events and hand out ribbons,
she added.
Bob Rohrman Automotive Group will also be donating
a car for the fair queen to drive throughout the week. Last year a Jeep
was donated for the fair queen.
Dunten said, in addition to the regular fair activities,
the Tippecanoe County Fair will be hosting a new event called the "True
Value Country Showdown."
Eight country performers will take the stage at 6
p.m. Saturday in the Coliseum to compete for a chance to perform at the
Indiana State Fair. A laser light show will follow the musical performances.
Dunten said that the bands were looking for a place
to hold the performance and 4-H was were able to fit them the fair schedule.
"It's a great place for families to come," said Dunten.
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