November 7, 2024

From left, 2022 Meigs County Fair Queen Melinda Lawson and 2022 Meigs County Fair Queen First Runner-up Claire Howard. Photo by Carrie Rose.

Meigs County Fair Queen Crowned

ROCKSPRINGS, Ohio – The 2022 Meigs County Fair Queen was crowned last night during the a very soggy opening ceremony of the 159th Meigs County Fair at the Grandstand.

Melinda Lawson, 17, of Racine was crowned the 2022 Meigs County Fair Queen by 2021 Fair King Jacob Spencer. Spencer had the honor of placing the crown and sash on Lawson as the 2021 Meigs County Fair Queen Olivia Harris college semester had begun.

Lawson is the is the daughter of Timothy and Bethany Lawson. She is a member of the Busy Beavers 4-H Club and Meigs FFA Chapter. She has been a 4-H member for 11 years and FFA member for three years. Her leadership experience includes serving her 4-H club as president for two years and secretary two years. She has been the Meigs FFA Reporter. Her Junior Fair participation includes the following projects: four years with the breeding goat project with previous experience in cattle projects; five years with sewing/quilting projects; one year market lamb project; additional projects include veterinary science, first aid, and market chickens. Lawson is a member of the Junior Fair Board also. She attends Meigs High School and will be a senior this year. Lawson is a member of the Meigs Maurader Marching Band, Meigs High School National Honor Society and the Mount Hermon UB Church Youth Group and Choir. After high school she plans on majoring in education. Her hobbies include sewing/quilting, guitar, farming, and attending church service events.

Crowned as the First Runner-up was Claire Howard, 16, of Pomeroy. She is the daughter of Julie and Brian Howard. She is a member of Girl Scout Troop 51004. She has been a member of the Girl Scouts for 11 years. Her leadership experience includes being a drum major in the Meigs band, president of her freshman class, vice president of her sophomore and junior classes, and student council officer. She has earned the Girl Scout Bronze and Silver awards and is working on the Gold award. Howard’s Junior Fair participation includes: being an 11 year exhibitor; fairground beautification; talent show volunteer/participant; pet show volunteer; pinewood derby participant; Meigs Band booth volunteer; opening day parade participant. This will be her senior year at Meigs High School. She is a member of the River City Players, Meigs Band, UNICEF Club, ServeUS, and Meigs High School Drama Club. Her hobbies include singing and performing in musicals and plays, practicing music, volunteering with Blessings in a Backpack and being a character performer for Wolfe Mountain Entertainment.

Both will be working a lot to share responsibilities as no applicant filed to be fair king. As no there is no fair king this year, John Hoback of Home National Bank announced last night that instead of Lawson receiving a $500 scholarship from the bank, she will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Home National Bank presents the fair queen and king with a $500 scholarship each year.

The fair royalty also receive crown, sash and other items such as embroidered chairs. The Meigs County Fair Royalty are also sponsored by Peoples Bank.

Additionally, Paige Riley Smith, 10, of Pomeroy, was crowned 2022 Meigs County Fair Livestock Princess. She is the daughter of Marc and Samantha Smith. She is a member of Kid Konnection 4-H Club. She has been a 4-H member for five years. She has served as club treasurer. She attends Meigs Elementary School. Her Junior Fair participation includes market beef feeder, and market lamb. She is a past first runner-up for Little Miss Meigs County. She is a member of the American Legion Junior Auxillary, Pomeroy Youth League, Root Volleyball League, Rocksprings United Methodist Church. Her activities in addition to 4-H include softball, basketball, volleyball, and hunting.

Throughout the fair, royalty will be handing out ribbons, receiving other fair royalty and more as they represent the Meigs County Fair. During the next year they will appear in parades and other events to represent the fair and the county throughout the state. The Meigs County Fair Queen will also compete at the Ohio Fair Managers Convention for the Ohio Fairs Queen title.