North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo Association crowned its 62nd Queen and Princesses the evening of Friday, Sept. 2, at the Barriere Ridge gymnasium.
The 2010/2011 reigning royalty joined with the 2011 candidates in a well choreographed dance number, before making their teary farewell speeches to the audience and dignitaries who were in attendance.
Candidates for the 2011 Queen Pageant included Miss Clearwater Lions Club Tiffany Preston, Miss Sweetnam’s Christina Hostetter, Miss Lower North Thompson Catholic Women’s League Hannah Allen, Miss Barriere Lions Cub Bethany McInnes, Miss Jim’s Food Market Cassandra Brown, and Miss On Call Construction Tianna Weninger.
The candidates presented themselves in evening gowns, answered an impromptu question, and impressed the crowd with their poise and newly coached ability to present themselves with decorum and grace.
The three judges for the evening tallied their scores, which were then added to previous marks earned by the candidates in a variety of divisions - including speech, talent, etiquette, history of the North Thompson Valley, and history of the NT Fall Fair.
When all numbers had been complied by the official scorekeeper the names of the winners were passed to the evening’s MCs, Katelyne Bonin and Lydia Tuaiti.
The candidates and outgoing royalty joined their hands together as they awaited the announcements of those who had been chosen to represent the North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo Association and the North Thompson Valley during the 2011/2012 year.
The following awards were presented:
Talent Award - Cassandra Brown; Speech Award - Hannah Allen; Knowledge Award - Hannah Allen; History Award - Hannah Allen; Megan Worthington Rising Star Award - Cassandra Brown; and Miss Congeniality - Cassandra Brown.
NT Fall Fair and Rodeo Royalty for 2011/2012 are: Queen Hannah Allen, Princess Cassandra Brown and Princess Tianna Weninger.
A NTFFRA representative who attended the event said, “I think it is wonderful to see the Queen and Princesses coming from Brennan Creek, Clearwater, and Little Fort. The Fair represents all of the Valley, and so do our royalty.”
– by Jill Hayward, Barriere Star/Journal