SMITHFIELD - A Jefferson County Fair tradition that goes back many years will take place Monday at the Rozsa Pavilion, when the crowning of a junior fair queen takes place.
In the 1980s, a junior fair king was added to the royalty ceremonies, and in recent years the addition of a princess and prince were part of the coronation.
The annual fair officially kicks off Tuesday and will continue through Aug. 19 at the fairgrounds at Friendship Park.
Article Photos
COMPETING FOR TITLES — Fourteen young women are competing for the title of Jefferson County Junior Fair princess, and two young men are competing for the title of prince. They are, seated, from left, Maddie Doyle, Allison Pizzoferrato. Chelsea Jenkins, Hunter Johnson, Taylor Mazzaferro and Leigha Pasco; second row, Jaymee Libetti, Kyrsten Mazzaferro, Jayllex Mills, Malania Birney, Sara Waggoner, Allison Lamantia, Brianna Piergallini, Faith Davies and Matthew Rector, prince candidate; and back, John Rutan, junior fair prince candidate. The coronation will be Monday following the 5 p.m. opening ceremonies. -- Esther McCoy
Candidates have been interviewed for the titles that will be bestowed Monday after the opening ceremonies take place.
Leah Figurski and Ramsey Core, both of the Country Kids 4-H Club, the 2011 royalty, will crown their successors.
John Rutan, 17, is the lone candidate for junior fair king. An eight-year member of the Windy Ridge 4-H Club, he took muskrat trapping as his still project this year. He is a senior at the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School.
Candidates for the queen's crown are:
Shannon Morando, 17, a seven-year Warren Ridge 4-H Club member, has taken art still projects and will be competing in the open class this year. She is a senior at Buckeye Local High School.
Emily Lamantia, 16, a six-year member of the Country Classics 4-H Club, has horse competition, meat chickens and fancy rabbits as her projects. She is a junior at Catholic Central High School.
Brooke Piergallini, 17, a nine-year member of the Golden Horseshoe 4-H Club, has two market lambs going to auction on Aug. 18. She is a senior at Indian Creek Local High School.
Rachel Zimmer, 17, a nine-year member of Exploring Kids 4-H and a four-year member of Edison FFA, has show rabbits, dairy goats and llamas. She is a senior at Edison High School.
Rachel Rector, 19, an 11-year member of Windy Ridge 4-H Club, has two market hogs and a dairy heifer as projects. She was a 2011 graduate of Buckeye Local High School and is a sophomore at the University of Mount Union, majoring in exercise science.
Courtney Jarman, 19, a 15-year member of the Warren Ridge 4-H Club, is a 2011 graduate of Buckeye Local High School. She is pursuing a nursing degree at Eastern Gateway Community College. Her 4-H projects are market hogs, rabbits and a home decorating project.
There are 14 contestants for the title of junior fair princess:
Faith Davies, 12, Lassos and Lace 4-H member and a student at Buckeye Local.
Mattie Doyle, 13, Country Kids 4-H and a student at Buckeye Local Junior High.
Malinia Birney, 13, Cross Creek Tomahawks 4-H Club and a student at Harrison Central Junior High School.
Brianna Piergallini, 13, Golden Horseshoe 4-H and a student at Indian Creek Middle School.
Taylor Mazzaferro, 12, Lucky Leaf 4-H and a student at Indian Creek Middle School.
Chelsea Jenkins, 15, Golden Horseshoe 4-H Club and a student at Edison High School.
Leigha Pasco, 16, Backwoods Gang 4-H and a student at Buckeye Local High School.
Hunter Johnson, 14, Free Spirits 4-H and a student at Buckeye Local Junior High School.
Jayllex Mills, 14, Lassos and Lace 4-H and a student at Buckeye Local Junior High School.
Allison Pizzoferrato, 14, Country Classics 4-H Club and a student at Catholic Central High School.
Kyrsten Mazzaferro, 12, Lucky Leaf Livestock 4-H Club and a student as Indian Creek Middle School.
Jaymee Libetti, 13, Liberty Gals and Guys 4-H Club, home-schooled.
Allison Lamantia, 13, Country Classics 4-H Club and a student at Catholic Central High School.
Sara Waggoner, 13, Lucky Leaf Livestock 4-H Club and a student at Edison Middle School.
Prince candidates are:
Matthew Rector, 12, Windy Ridge 4-H Club and a student at Buckeye Local Middle School.
John Rutan, 14, Windy Ridge 4-H Club and a student at Buckeye Local High School.
