Chelsea Smith Crowned Miss Mercer
Shiann Stratton Crowned Miss Teen Mercer; Karla Curtsinger Crowned Ms. Mercer
Miss Mercer County Fair and Horse Show 2019 Chelsea Smith, center, stands with her court. Pictured left to right are Bailey White, second runner-up; Shiann Stratton, 2019 Miss Teen; Emily Baker, 2018 Preteen; Karla Curtsinger, 2019 Ms. Mercer; Smith; Savannah Burke, 2018 Miss Mercer; Bailey Nevius, Miss Motorsports; Alexis Claunch, fitness winner and first runner-up, and Laci Bailey, Miss Congeniality and third runner-up.
April Ellis
Herald Staff
aellis@harrodsburgherald.com
Even though the weather didn’t cooperate on Monday, three new queens were crowned at the Whitaker Bank 192nd Mercer County Fair and Horse Show.
Monday’s pageants were moved to the Mercer County Senior High auditorium and for the second year coordinators intermingled each portion of the three pageants to keep the packed auditorium entertained.
Chelsea Smith, the 20 year old daughter of Kirwan and Shanna Smith, won the title of Miss Mercer. She also won the Gail Chambers Brown interview award. Also named to the queen’s court were Alexis Claunch, first runner-up and fitness award, Bailey White, second runner-up, Laci Bailey, third runner-up and Miss Congeniality award. Other award winners included Sydney Demaree, spirit award, and the Most Photogenic went to Mackenzie Ezell.
“I’m so full of emotions and excitement,” said Smith. “More than anything I’m grateful that the judges saw me fit to represent our hometown at state.”
Chelsea Smith was crowned Miss Mercer 2019 on Monday night.
Smith plans to attend Campbellsville University’s cosmetology program this fall.
In its fourth year, the Ms. Mercer County Fair pageant had seven contestants with Karla Curtsinger crowned queen. Members of the queen’s court included Danielle Preston, first runner-up and Ashley Truman, second runner-up and Miss Congeniality. Beth Russell took home the most photogenic honors and Amanda Massie was awarded Ms. Congeniality by her peers. The Ms. Pageant is judged on poise and confidence on stage and when speaking during the active wear and formal dress portions.
The newly crowned Miss Teen Mercer County Fair is Shiann Stratton, the 14- year-old daughter of Daniel and Amanda Stratton. Stratton also received the Bobby Pugh Memorial Outstanding Teen award. The Miss Teen’s court included Annie Pendygraft, first runner-up, and Jersey McGinnis, second runner up. Madisynn Griffin won the most photogenic award and Miss Congeniality. (Editor’s Note: additional photographs are on page 2A).
The rest of the week included the Pre-Teen Mercer Fair, Little Miss and Mister and Tiny Miss and Mister pageants. (Editor’s Note: photographs and results from those pageants will be in the Aug. 1 edition).
Miss Teen Mercer County Fair 2019 Shiann Stratton, center right, with her court after Monday’s pageant. Pictured left to right: Madisynn Griffin, most photogenic; Annie Pendygraft, first runner-up; Jacey Catlett, 2018 Miss Mercer; Stratton and Jersey McGinnis, second runner-up.
Center ring saw its first horse class Wednesday night. The horse show starts nightly at 6:30 p.m. with the championship classes culminating Saturday night. Before Saturday’s first horse show class, Saddlebred trainer Merrill Murray will be inducted into the Mercer County Fair and Horse Show Hall of Fame along with the late David Collier who served as radio and ring announcer for the horse show for several years.
The dairy show kicked off Saturday morning and the livestock pavilion (see page 2B for results) was busy with the sheep show Wednesday night. The swine, rabbit, goat and poultry shows will take place Saturday. The open beef show will be held Monday, July 29, at 6 p.m.
The motorsports arena sees its first action Wednesday night, with the KOI Dirt Drag. Tonight, Thursday, at 7 p.m. the Kentucky Truck Tuggers will be at the motorsports track and there will be a two-night demolition derby Friday and Saturday.
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