Royal Traditions Behind The Crown: Meet the Ambitious Young Women of the 32nd Annual Clinton County Fair Queen Contest
By Emily Wright
MILL HALL—The vibrant heart of Clinton County will once again buzz with excitement as the community gathers for the 32nd annual Clinton County Fair Queen Contest. One of six contestants will be crowned queen at the royal event, slated for Saturday, July 27th, at 3:30 p.m. on the Main Stage of the Clinton County Fairgrounds. This cherished event promises a showcase of poise, agricultural advocacy, and youthful ambition.
The Record spoke with Dominique Miller, the Clinton County Fair Queen Program Chairperson, who looks forward to this event each year. “I love doing the Fair Queen program, and I hope that I can do it in the long term,” she shared. This year’s contest features six dedicated contestants vying for the prestigious title.
Christina Smith, the reigning queen, has served as an inspiring figurehead for the program since she was crowned at the 2023 Clinton County Fair. Balancing her academic pursuits in emergency management with a wealth of community involvement, Smith has enthusiastically embraced her role. “I love being the Clinton County Fair Queen because it has allowed me to create connections with people within our community and across the Commonwealth,” she shared on the Clinton County Queen website. Smith has exemplified the fair’s spirit and mission over the past year by serving at the Fireman’s Breakfast, helping with local Easter egg hunts, and hosting assemblies at local schools for girls between 7th and 12th grade, and these are only a few examples of how Smith has engaged with the community.
Miller highlighted the multidimensional growth that participants in the Fair Queen program experience. “We see incredible growth in our queens and in our queen’s court throughout the year,” she emphasized. These young women learn essential life skills such as public speaking, professional etiquette, public relations, and mentorship. “The mentoring is really exciting to see,” Dominique added, noting the personal development that participants undergo.
A new initiative this year, Queen’s Academy Day, aims to further prepare contestants before the fair begins. This comprehensive event will be spearheaded by the Clinton County Fair Queen Committee along with a few past queens. The goal is to help contestants develop the professional skills they will need to demonstrate during the week of the fair and throughout the queen’s year-long reign. Queen’s Academy Day aims to provide more mentoring to the contestants than what can be covered during their two-hour orientation. “We want real, professional, solid growth to come out of the Queen’s Academy Day,” Dominique explained.
Contestants will also give a 3-5 minute speech for the judges with their response to this year’s prompt: “Why You Should Come to My Fair”. The speech should include an emphasis on agriculture due to its importance in the state of Pennsylvania. Both the Clinton County Fair Queen Program and the Pennsylvania State Fair Queen Program place an emphasis on advocating for the fair itself and on agriculture.
As part of the competition, the contestants prepared a 300-word essay based on the prompt “What My Fair Means to My Community,” which will play a significant role in meeting the judge’s criteria. Essays are judged on a 13-point scale, assessing content, grammar, and spelling.
In addition to the speeches, written essays, and one-on-one interviews, judges will be looking for candidates who demonstrate a well-rounded knowledge of the Clinton County Fair, have strong communication skills, public speaking abilities, and a professional overall appearance.
Another element that judges look for in Queen Contestants is neatness. Dominique explained that neatness is not about having the most expensive attire or being the best-looking candidate; it’s about striving for excellence. “It’s about professionalism, posture, and poise. In general, the judges want a candidate who’s going to put her best foot forward and demonstrate excellence,” she explained.
Rewards for the queen extend beyond the honor of the title. The winner receives $500.00 in total when they are crowned— a $200.00 Premium Award from the fair and a $300.00 Founder’s Award. The Founder’s Award was established to honor the Queen contestant program’s founders and to keep the awards competitive with other county fairs. A $100 Premium Award will also be given to the First Alternate Queen. “These girls work hard in the program, so that’s why there are awards,” Miller said, underscoring the significance of the award funds.
This year brings an enhancement to the prize package: a lifetime membership to the Clinton County Fair will be given to all crowned queens moving forward, ensuring their continued connection and involvement with the event. “We want our queens coming back. We want them to bring their families, and we want them to stay connected to our fair. We want them to stay involved as directors, program coordinators, or volunteers, so this is one way we look towards the future of the Clinton County Fair,” Dominique said.
The Fair Queen Committee introduced a touching annual tradition, which was initiated last year—a display that chronicles the history of all past Clinton County Fair Queens. The display is a tribute to all of the queens that have been crowned over the years, and since it was a hit amongst fair attendees in 2023, it will be featured again this year in the Commercial Building throughout the week. “This is going to be an annual display at the fair. We included a picture of every fair queen who’s been crowned in the display, and it was very, very popular. I was so thrilled with all the community members who shared pictures with me or helped me get in touch with people for this display,” Dominique shared, highlighting the importance of honoring those who have contributed to the fair’s legacy.
Sponsorship is a cornerstone of the Fair Queen program’s success, and Dominique expressed gratitude this year’s to notable sponsors: Gary Thull Pools, Dean K. Wetzler, Jr., Ed & Connie Peiffer, Charmaine Beth Nyman, Heidi Nyman-Weeder, Swartz Fire and Safety, and Naomi Elle Photography. Their generous contributions ensure the program’s continuity and growth.
For anyone interested in making a contribution, a basket auction will take place during the fair to support the Fair Queen budget, and donations of items, gift certificates, and baskets are warmly welcomed.
Without further delay, meet the 2023 reigning Queen and the 32nd Clinton County Fair Queen Contestants:
2023 Clinton County Fair Queen, Christina Smith
Parents: Shane and Samantha Smith
Age: 19
Hometown: Lock Haven
Interests: Kayaking, Hiking, Hunting, Fishing, Swimming, Baking, Cooking, and Figure Skating
Education and Future Plans: I am a Pennsylvania College of Technology student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in emergency management and homeland security, with a minor in criminal justice. I’m graduating soon, and I hope to be employed as an emergency manager at either the state or federal levels!
Awards: Several years of honor and high honor roll, Received a merit scholarship for college, 2 years of National Honor Society, 1st place in CAD foundations at TSA (Technology Student Association) Regional competition, and I was awarded 2nd place in structural engineering at TSA (Technology Student Association) Regional competition.
I am very proud of my role in planning and coordinating Rotorfest 2024, a community event that was a resounding success! I continue to be involved in the Emergency Management Club at Pennsylvania College of Technology.
Thoughts from the queen:
As my time as Clinton County Fair Queen comes to an end, I’m grateful for the chance to serve and connect with our community over the past year. During my reign, I had the honor of attending many events that showcase our county’s traditions and the kindness of its people. From the excitement of the Clinton County Fair to attending local community events and visiting local schools, each experience has meant a lot to me. One of the best parts of being Fair Queen was seeing how caring and generous our community is. Whether it was helping clean up our fairgrounds, visiting the local elementary schools, or attending community events, I was always inspired by everyone’s kindness.
Looking forward, I’m excited to stay involved in the Fair Queen Program and the fair. Even though my time as Fair Queen is ending, I’m eager to mentor the new contestants in the future. I want to share everything I’ve learned during this incredible journey. As I get ready to pass on the crown, I want to thank everyone who supported me along the way. It’s been an amazing year representing Clinton County, and I can’t wait to keep giving back to our fair however I can. The Fair Queen program has opened so many doors for me and given me opportunities to last a lifetime. Even though this chapter in my life is coming to a close, another girl’s is just about to begin. I invite everyone to come out to the Clinton County Fairgrounds on July 27th at 3:30 p.m. on the main stage and support the 6 lovely ladies competing for the crown this year!
Contestant #1 – Molly Dubbs
Parents: Patrick and Kirsten Dubbs
Age: 17
Hometown: Jersey Shore
Interests: I love reading, small gardening, teaching my animals, traveling, and meeting new people.
Education and Future Plans: I am currently attending Central Mountain High School and am interested in a career in teaching, dental hygiene, or radiology technician. I want a job that helps people and lets me travel.
Awards: I am proud to have achieved Honor Roll, 4.0 GPA, AP classes, and a 1200 SAT score!
Contestant #2 – Elizabeth “Izzy” Walker
Parents: Jamie and Christa Walker
Age: 18
Hometown: Beech Creek
Interests: I am an avid hunter, my favorite season being rifle. I also enjoy running rabbits at our local beagle club with my beagle, Jasmine. I enjoy various kinds of arts and crafts, as well as wood and leatherworking. I hope to add weapon smithing to that list in the not-so-distant future. I love to read, and one of my favorite hobbies is collecting entire book series, no matter how big. My favorite book genres are medieval fantasy, mythology, and historical fiction/nonfiction. I enjoy playing piano and restoring old tools in my spare time.
Education and Future Plans: I am currently attending Lock Haven University. I aspire to become a large animal veterinarian and to become successful enough to open my own practice.
Awards: I was awarded second place in the Bricktown Challenge kayak race. I was awarded first place in the Knights of Columbus essay contest. I have been awarded multiple first-place ribbons for sewing and woodworking at the Clinton County Fair’s open show. I received an award of excellence for my classical piano solo at the Penn-Del Youth Ministries Fine Arts competition. Additionally, I earned multiple superior with invitation awards for my participation in large group dramas and human videos, qualifying for Nationals.
Contestant #3 – Adelaide Miller
Parents: Chad and Dominique Miller
Age: 16
Hometown: Mill Hall
Interests: I have a great interest in the poultry industry, which led me to participate in multiple 4-H poultry competitions. I also love raising my small backyard flock and trying out new breeds!
I am a self-proclaimed “Crazy Rabbit Lady,” and am found to have at least 50 rabbits at my residence at any given time. I work hard all year to breed and raise them in preparation for being shown at my Fair, as well as a few other competitive rabbit shows throughout the year.
I joined 4-H as soon as I was eligible and have never regretted it! I eagerly serve in my 4-H club and participate in any 4-H opportunity available. In particular, this has meant dedicating much of my time to club leadership and community service opportunities.
I couldn’t love 4-H without loving agriculture as well! Living in rural Pennsylvania, agriculture is a way of life for me. I have a deep passion for connecting agriculture to our everyday lives, as many do not realize agriculture’s immense impact in everything we do.
I have a great interest in baking, and I love to delve deeper into the science behind it. I love experimenting with special ingredients, baking techniques, cultural desserts, and more. Additionally, my interest and job in the food industry, coupled with my love for agriculture, has led me to become dedicated to promoting the use of local and PA Preferred ingredients as well as sustainable, organic products.
Education and Future Plans: Homeschooled and currently attending Pierpont Community & Technical College
Moving forward into a career, my goal is to enter the small business world by opening a food service business. Whether it’s a bakery, café, food truck, or special events pop-up, baking is a primary passion of mine, and I want to use it to provide excellent food and a comfortable atmosphere for all community members to enjoy.
One of my goals through this dream is to link agriculture to the food industry by placing a higher priority on using locally sourced and PA Preferred ingredients, as well as encouraging others to place more thought into where their food comes from. Although I’m not totally sure about everything my future entails, I am excited to see where God leads me over the next few years.
Awards:
2023 Poultry Judging State Champion team member, 1st place High Scorer
2nd place National Poultry Judging team member, 2nd place National High Scorer.
2023 Moose Youth Awareness participant, advanced to the 2024 International Youth Moose Awareness Congress.
2024 Bible Quiz 1st place high scorer in Pennsylvania/Delaware District.
2023 Bible Quiz 2nd place high scorer in Pennsylvania/Delaware District.
2022 Rabbit Showmanship Grand Champion
5-time Rabbit Showmanship Reserve Grand Champion
2-time Poultry Showmanship Grand Champion
2022 Poultry Showmanship Reserve Grand Champion
2019 Junior Avian Bowl Statewide Champion team member.
2nd Place PA Preferred Baking Contest Entry, 2023; 3rd Place PA Preferred Baking Contest Entry, 2022
Contestant #4 Margaret “Maggie” Park
Parents: Fred and Loretta Park
Age: 17
Hometown: Howard
Interests: I love being around animals and spend a lot of my time in my barns working with them or attending shows with them. I also enjoy participating in events with the Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) all over the state. My favorite discipline in YHEC is archery, as I excel in it. I have shot archery since I could hold a bow.
I also enjoy doing digital art as I have a small buisness where I do different portraits and logos for people all over the country.
Education and Future Plans: I am currently attending Central Mountain High School. My career goals include attending Penn State University to study either Veterinary Medicine or Wildlife Technology. I aspire to be a Vet, a livestock judge, and an American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) judge. In school, I especially excel in the agricultural course I am involved in called Natural Resource Management, where we do a lot of outside work. We study trees, wildlife, grow plants in our green house, and do woodworking projects.
Awards: A lot of the awards I have earned have come from the Show Ring and other shows. My favorite is my Best in Show of the Rare Breeds rabbit show, which I acquired this year at the Pennsylvania State Rabbit Breeders Association Convention.
Contestant #5 – Skyenne Kramer
Parents: Shauna Seyler
Age: 16
Hometown: Lock Haven
Interests: I love dance, working with animals, and helping little kids/teaching little kids!
Education and Future Plans: I attend Central Mountain High School, and I hope to become a kindergarten teacher. I will be a Career & Technology Center (CTC) to Child Care completer.
Awards: I receive most of my awards through dance.
Contestant #6 – Allie Dutton
Parents: Chad Hall and Kristy Dutton
Age: 18
Hometown: Lock Haven
Interests: My hobbies are going on mountain rides with my dogs, camping, and spending time with family and friends.
Education and Future Plans: I graduated from Central Mountain High School. Through the Career and Technology Education Program, I got an internship through PennDOT as a Clerical Assistant. I want to further myself and turn my side job into a full-time business. I want to go to college and get a degree in Web Development.
Awards: I accomplished High Honor Roll 3 years in a row at Central Mountain High School.
As the community eagerly awaits the crowning of its 32nd Fair Queen, Dominique encourages the community to attend and support these remarkable young women. With each year’s contest building on the previous one, the Clinton County Fair Queen program is more than a local tradition; it’s an opportunity for young women to gain confidence, advocate for agriculture, and grow personally and professionally.
For more information about the Clinton County Queen Contest and sponsorship opportunities or to get involved, Dominique Miller can be reached by phone, text, or email at 570-295-1015 or clintoncountyfairqueen@gmail.com.
Clinton County Fair Grounds:
98 Racetrack Rd
Mill Hall, PA 17751
