Hall crowned 2018 Coshocton Hot Air Balloon Festival Queen
COSHOCTON – Keirstan Hall has always loved the night glow at the Coshocton Hot Air Balloon Festival.
“I enjoyed seeing the look on people’s faces and how they were in awe of the beautiful balloons when they were lit up,” she said.
As the 2018 hot air balloon festival queen, Hall now gets to share that description of the night glow with people throughout the state of Ohio.
Hall, a student at the Coshocton County Career Center, was crowned the hot air balloon festival queen during a contest held June 7, at the fairgrounds. Also competing in the contest were Aliyah Guthrie from Ridgewood High School and Kellyn Donaker, who also attends the career center.
The contestants were interviewed by a panel of three judges. They then appeared on the stage in front of the grandstand where they introduced themselves and shared their memories of the balloon festival.
Guthrie recalled watching the balloons float over her childhood home in Canal Lewisville.
“It was the best thing,” she said. “I loved watching them when I was little.”
Donaker shared that she has attended the balloon festival for as long as she can remember.
“We’d always pick a balloon to follow and watch it land,” she said.
The ladies also each had a surprise questions to answer. Guthrie was asked what advice she would give young girls.
“Follow your dreams and stay true to yourself,” she said.
Guthrie also stressed being nice and loving.
“Just be nice,” she said. “That’s the key to everything. Be nice and loving.”
Donaker then had to share what characteristics she would want the balloon festival queen to have.
“I’d look for someone who was a genuine person, was fun, outgoing and knew how to have a conversation with someone,” she said.
Hall was challenged to share how she deals with peer pressure.
“It’s not a problem for me because I am my own person and will do what I feel is right,” she said.
After this part of the competition 2017 queen Josey Lillibridge said her good-byes and thank yous and gave the contestants a few words of encouragement.
“This took a lot of hard work and I am very proud of all of them,” she said.
Lillibridge then had the pleasure of crowing Hall, whom she had served with on the West Lafayette Homecoming Court.
“She knows what I expect of her and I know she is going to do the festival very proud,” Lillibridge said.
Hall said her heart was racing after being announced as the queen.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to travel Ohio again and meet new people,” she said.
In addition to travel commitments, the balloon queen title comes with a $500 scholarship. Hall plans to use the money to help her pursue a degree in education after she graduates from high school.
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