INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Beth Stabe, coordinator of 4-H special events at this year’s Indian River County Firefighters’ Fair, said more participants lined up for the club’s “Barn King and Queen” competition than she has ever seen before.
Dozens of young 4-H participants ranging in age lined up as Stabe called each one out to answer a question in front of five judges.
Each participant walked to the center of the corral at the fair’s main barn and spoke into the microphone in front of a large crowd packed into the bleachers.
As the group paraded the corral one last time waving to family and friends, the judges tallied up scores for male and female winners in four different age groups.
“Wow, that was so close. I had goosebumps,” said Lisa Bailey, one of the five judges at the table.
Judges scored each participant on a long list of items including attire, walk, answer delivery, extra curricular activities, involvement in 4-H, and others.
Chrissy Alford was crowned Barn Queen and said she was honored to be recognized in such a way.
“I’ve waited for this for a while and good things come to those who wait,” Alford said. She added she had participated in the competition for several years.
Alford will be showing her swine named “That’ll Doo” this Sunday at the fair.
“I’ve put a lot of hard work and dedication into it,” Alford said about raising her pig. She has confidence her hard work will pay off when it’s “That’ll Doo’s” turn to be judged.
John Stevens stood next to Alford as Barn King. Stevens was the only male participant for his age group, but said he was there for the learning experience.
“I’m kind of used to it,” Stevens said about being the only male competitor. “I grew up with a lot of girls.”
Stevens will be showing a citrus tree this year at the fair.
Six more contestants were crowned “Prince” and “Princess” of their respective age groups; Cloverbud Pee Wee Princess Haylei Emanuel and Prince Gavin Henson, Junior Princess Kendahl Brown and Prince Will Tripson, and Intermediate Princess Nikki Ooley and Prince Andy Rogers.
As hordes of parents flocked to take pictures of their girls in tiaras and sashes and their boys in ball caps and sashes, they beamed with pride over their child’s early accomplishments at the fair.
Junior Princess Kendahl Brown’s mother, Allison Brown said her daughter began 4-H as a family tradition. Allison Brown and her sister both participated as they were growing up.
“She has a swine named Charlotte after Charlotte’s Web,” Allison Brown said of her daughter’s project this year. “And I’m very proud, because this is her first year in 4-H.”
According to Stabe, the Barn King and Queen competition serves as a fundraiser for the livestock fund and this year, over $700 was raised as a result.
Now that the King and Queen competition is over, the spotlight will shift to the livestock and citrus trees that 4-H students have poured so much time and energy into raising. More than 80 families are in participation in the fair’s 4-H events this week.
