Carbon County Fair seeks candidates for 2014 queen

The Carbon County Fair is looking for young ladies to participate in the 2014 Queen Program. The purpose of the fair queen is to encourage the promotion of the fair, its history and community impact; educate the public on the agricultural industry; and foster a greater public understanding of the importance of each of these to the community.

The fair will be held Aug. 4 through Aug. 9 in Palmerton.

Applications can be obtained by accessing the fair's website at www.carboncountyfair.com or by calling 570-325-8685. All applications must be postmarked by June 27. There is no application fee.

To participate in the fair queen contest, contestants must reside in Carbon County or West Penn Township (Schuylkill County) and be a female at least age 16, but no older than 20 years of age as of June 1 of this year. This is not a beauty contest and anyone meeting the criteria may apply.

Contestants will be judged based on an essay, personal interview and speech presentation. Judges look for the candidate who they believe will best represent the fair, while effectively promoting agriculture.

The 2014 queen will be crowned during the opening ceremony of the Carbon County Fair at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4. In addition, a trophy and sash will be presented. At the completion of the queen's reign, a check presentation from the fair will be made to each of the finalists.

Carissa Troxell is the 2013 Carbon County Fair Queen. She is the daughter of Carlin and Danette Troxell of East Penn Township, and is a senior at Lehighton Area High School. She is a member of the varsity field hockey team, FCCLA, FBLA and SADD.

Outside of school Carissa is a 10-year member of the Carbon County 4-H Livestock Club, where she has shown dairy, dairy beef, poultry and market steers. She has been the club's secretary for the last four years. In addition, she is a member of the 4-H Development Committee. She has also been a 4-H counselor at Camp Shehaqua for the past two years. She is a recipient of the Rachel Hoffmeier Scholarship. Following graduation, she will attend Morrisville State College for dairy management. Eventually, she plans to help manage the family dairy farm at CK Troxell Farm.

For more information about the fair, go to the website at www.carboncountyfair.com or call 610-826-1862. To receive a fair brochure, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Carbon County Fair, P.O. Box 633, Lehighton, PA 18235-0633.