ALEXANDRIA — Lucy Mei Loller of Lapel was crowned 2021 Madison County 4-H Fair Queen during pageant ceremonies Sunday at Madison County 4-H Fairgrounds in Alexandria.
“It was kind of stressful but really enjoyable,” Loller, 17, said of the pageant.
Loller, a Lapel High School senior and member of Stony Creek Clovers 4-H Club, was one of five candidates, three of whom were from the South Madison County area.
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Loller, who has been around 4-H all her life and been a member since age 11, said she has felt the mystique of fair royalty for a long time.
“Ever since I was a little girl, I always looked up to the queens.”
Actually competing to be one had its challenges.
She said she was “very nervous” about the impromptu question, which is asked of each candidate as part of the judging.
She said she was able to give a good response, and ultimately, “it was really fun to hang out with all the girls.”
The pageant took place at the Farm Bureau 4-H Building. Candidates were scored on a point system comprised of formal wear and professional wear (maximum 20 points each), interview and prepared speech (maximum 45 and 15 points each, respectively) and the response to an impromptu question (maximum 10 points).
Other contestants included Ruthie Spooner (home schooled) of Alexandria, who was first runner-up; Olivia Williams (Lapel High School) of Anderson, who was second runner-up; and Bailey Barnett (Pendleton Heights High School) of Ingalls, who was Miss Congeniality.
Lacey Mayfield of Elwood, the fifth contestant, was the essay winner, while Loller was the prepared speech winner.
Loller will serve as an ambassador for the 4-H program during the fair, presenting ribbons and awards during judged events. The fair is set for July 18-24, with 4-H events taking place before and after those dates.
Loller said Tuesday that she’s already been making appearances and working events, including a dog show.
“It was super fun to see the kids, how they were excited about their projects and dogs.”
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on last year’s fair, 2020 Queen Emily Betz of Frankton also will perform queen duties this year, said Lisa Rinker, pageant co-director.
“So, we’re going to actually have two queens this year,” Rinker said previously.
Loller is the daughter of Krista and Donnie Loller.
For more fair details, visit madisoncounty4hfair.org.