EmilyBrownThe Brown County Fair Association’s (BCFA) Queen’s Committee has announced the dates for the 2016 BCFA Queen’s race, and a meeting has been scheduled on September 22nd at the Brown County Fair Barns.

Dating back to 1964, the Brown County Youth Fair Queen is a time-honored tradition that offers an excellent scholarship opportunity to contestants as well as providing service and support to the Fair Association.  This year’s Queen’s Committee is excited to announce several changes to the contest as we seek young ladies who would like to have the prestigious honor of representing the thousands of members of our Association.

To be eligible for the race, a young lady needs to be a member of a local FHA, FFA or FCCLA chapter and be an incoming Freshman – Senior in High School.   This year, the contestants will not be sponsored by their school’s FFA, FHA or FCCLA chapters, but they will need the approval and recommendation to run from school principals and counselors.  This change to the rules will allow more ladies the opportunity to enter the contest and remove any political emphasis on the process.  We are looking for students with high moral character, strong activity in their local chapters, and a well-defined work ethic that represents the core values of the Brown County Fair Association.  Interested candidates must attend a meeting to be held at the Youth Fair Barns on September 22, 2015, at 6:00pm.  All entrants to the contest are due at that time, at which the Membership Sales portion of the contest begins.  Queen’s contestants will be selling Fair Association memberships throughout the fall.  These membership sales are the greatest contribution annually that is made to the Fair Association’s budget.  Each contestant earns points based upon the number of sales achieved for the year, and they also earn a portion of those sales back in terms of dollars.  Additionally, contestants are also judged on personality (through judges’ interviews), public speaking, poise and appearance, and teacher evaluations.  The Queen’s Committee awards prizes to the winner of the contest, as well as to the 1st and 2nd runner-ups, allowing an excellent opportunity for these ladies to receive scholarships, a portion of their membership ticket sale profits, and invaluable experience in leadership and personal growth.

For years, the Brown County Fair Association Youth Fair Queen has been an honored title in our community.  Throughout the year, the Youth Fair Queen makes appearances on behalf of the Fair Association and offers public service in several areas.   Annually, the Queen will participate in the Annual Membership Dinner, the Brown County Rodeo, the Brown County Rodeo parade, Radio Interviews, the Brownwood Christmas Parade, the Brown County Youth Fair Fashion Show and Livestock Validations.  Additionally, she is available for visits to area schools to mentor young girls who aspire to one day be a Youth Fair Queen!

This year, the Fair Association’s Queen’s Committee consists of Priscilla Monson, Brittany Cox, Julie Gribble, Leslie Rumfeld, Kaci Edgar, and Cody Deen.  For a complete list of the eligibility rules for the contest or questions, please contact any committee member or by attending the September 22nd meeting at the Fair Barns.

Pictured above is the 2015 Brown County Youth Fair Queen, Emily Brown of Zephyr.  (Photo by BrownwoodNews.com)