The 85th Marcus Fair began a day earlier this year because Marcus was celebrating its 150th anniversary of being “Marcus”!
Wednesday the King and Queen were chosen for the Sesquicentennial but the next evening, there was another crowning the Little Miss Marcus with Kristie Ames and daughter, Kylee as MC’s.
This year there was a change. Usually the Babies on Parade come in the middle of the contest (when the girls go to change into their “Sunday best”), but there was a change. The restless babies were first! After this part of the program was over, it was time for the Little Miss Marcus contest.
Up on stage was last year’s Little Miss Marcus, Brynlee Oswald, daughter of Kyle and LeighAnne Oswald. She spoke on some of the things she got to do because she was Little Miss Marcus. She also got to pass out apple juice to the Babies on Parade.
This year there were 10 girls ages 6-8 entered in the Little Miss Marcus contest. The contestants were Josie Alesch (Marty and Jill Alesch); Marley Frangione (Joseph and Charissa Franagione); Kinsley Freeman (Lacy and Matt Freeman); Brynleigh Heubrock (Matt and Megan Heubrock); Addie Hueser (Dan and Kelli Hueser); Kayleigh Kohn (Kyle and Lorna Kohn); Kylee Olson (Jim and Katie Olson); Graycen Ruden (Cody and Chelsea Ruden); Hailey Schmillen (Steve and Ashley Schmillen); and Kallie Stodden (Don and Tonia Stodden).
These girls began the contest with wearing whatever they were comfortable in! Some wore “Sunday best” and didn’t have to change from sport/casual outfits. There were long dresses worn while others chose to wear shorts and tops. There didn’t seem to be any certain color. Many had flowers on tops or in the skirt of their dress. One wore a top with a rainbow colored long skirt. Another had a blue top with blue and black skirt and wore black boots.
A pink top with a pink flowered skirt was worn. A short pink dress was worn by another girl. A long blue dress with a white sash was chosen by one of the girls. All kinds of shoes/boots were worn.
The Dad’s walked with their daughter on stage at the beginning when they all came forward. Then they sat down until called on stage again. One of the girls had her little brother walk with her!
Each girl was asked what they had done during the summer. Were they looking forward to this fair? What is the best part of the fair that you like? The answer from most of them was “the rides”! They would all receive ride tickets in their packet at the end of the contest. If they were to be an animal, what animal would they be?! What was their favorite school subject? What do you want to be when you are all grown up?
Because some had their “Sunday best” already on, this saved some time as they didn’t have to change. Then the time had come. The judges’ votes were in.
The runner-up was Kayleigh Kohn. Now it was time for the 2020 Little Miss Marcus to hand over the title to a new Little Miss Marcus. And, the 2021 Little Miss Marcus is Kylee Olson!
Every girl was a “WINNER” even if they didn’t receive the title of Little Miss Marcus. They all received a packet with tickets and other goodies. They will be handing out ribbons at the livestock judging and riding on the float in the parade on Saturday.