New Coshocton County Fair King and Queen crowned
2013 Coshocton County Fair King and Queen Kurtis Croft and Emily Hardesty
COSHOCTON – Kurtis Croft and Emily Hardesty were crowned fair king and queen during the Sept. 28, opening ceremonies for the 162nd annual Coshocton County Fair.
For Croft, the victory continues a family tradition. His siblings and parents have also had the pleasure of being fair royalty.
“My kids love the fair and have fun with agriculture,” said Debbie Croft, Kurtis’ mother. “We are all about agriculture. It’s who we are as a family.”
Croft family
Debbie was queen in 1975 and her husband Neil was on the court that year. Their son Kyle was king in 2004, their daughter Katie was queen in 2006 and their other daughter Kim earned the title of queen in 2009.
“This takes a lot of pressure off me,” Kurtis said. “When my sister closes to me (in age) got it I knew the pressure would be on for me to get king.”
He was honored to be named king.
“I want to thank the senior fair board for the opportunity to represent the Coshocton County Fair this week and at various fairs in Ohio and the state fair,” he said.
Hardesty also is looking forward to representing Coshocton.
“We have a great community,” she said. “I love how everybody gets to know everyone and network and help everybody out.”
She also is looking forward to being a role model and working with younger kids.
Kurtis and Emily, who is the daughter of Stan and Kori Hardesty, both attend River View High School.
“We are very proud of her and have tons of memories from her times at the fair,” Stan said. “She really enjoys agriculture and helping people.”
The opening ceremonies also included a parade of the groups who make up the junior fair board and remarks from members of each of the organizations. The board includes representatives from Boy Scouts, 4-H, FFA, Junior Grange, Girl Scouts and Farm Bureau Youth.
Many of the speakers shared facts about their organizations. Caitlyn Williamson informed the audience that 4-H has been a part of Coshocton County for 96 years, that there are now 40 different clubs in the county and 1,006 people involved with 4-H in the community.
Those who spoke also encouraged people to check out the projects displayed by area youth and to get involved.
“Granges are something the whole family can get involved in,” said Jenna Wyler, from Junior Grange. “It also can help you better yourself, your future, your community and the world.”
Local officials and Canal Festival and West Lafayette Homecoming Festival royalty also spoke and welcomed people to this year’s fair.
During the ceremony, a special presentation also was made to the senior fair board by the 2012 Coshocton County Fair King and Queen. Derek Hoffman and Justine Moran had a display made listing all of the kings and queens of the Coshocton County Fair and presented it to Gail Williamson, president of the senior fair board. The 2012 royalty also expressed their appreciation for having the opportunity to represent the Coshocton County Fair.
“This was a great opportunity and a lot of fun,” Moran said. “I made many memories that I will hold in my heart.”
Hoffman also had a piece of advice for this year’s court.
“Try to have as much fun as possible and meet lots of new people,” he said. “This is the chance of a lifetime.”
josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: Clubs & Organizations, Multimedia, People & Places, Photo Galleries
