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Chelsea Thomure crowned as Fair Queen

St. Francois County Fair fun continues today with cowboy mounted shooting

By PAULA BARR
Daily Journal Staff Writer

Friday, July 25, 2008

A day later than usual, fairgoers learned who had been chosen as the 2008 St. Francois County Fair Queen.

The crowning of Chelsea Thomure, the new Queen, was postponed from Wednesday night to Thursday to coincide with this year’s headliner group, Confederate Railroad. Emily Easter of Bonne Terre, last year’s Fair Queen, crowned Thomure with a tiara.

Thomure, 17, lives in St. Francois County and is a member of the Silver Spurs 4-H Club. She lives on a horse farm and has been working with horses since she was about 6 years old. She won several ribbons in Wednesday night’s horse show at the Fair, including some first place awards.

During the competition, Thomure was interviewed by judges for seven minutes. She sang “Gunpowder and Lead” by Miranda Lambert and modeled a silky top and skirt.

The Farmington High school senior plans to attend Mineral Area College after she graduates high school and will work toward a degree in nursing.

Thomure considers it an honor to be the Fair Queen.

“I’ve always looked up to all the St. Francois County Fair queens,” she said. “This means I can influence other girls to (compete for Queen) and I can help encourage others to join 4-H and FFA.

“It was just a really really fun experience, and I had a lot of fun even if I had not won.”

Each year, a young woman is chosen as Queen to serve as hostess for the fair. Contestants are judged on personal interviews, public speaking or talent, and fashion. The winner receives a crown, sponsored by Krekeler Jewelers.

During the fair, the Queen hands out ribbons and trophies and attends special events. After the fair, she will travel to Sedalia to represent St. Francois County in the Missouri State Fair Queen Pageant. Contestants from across the state will compete for the title of Miss Missouri State Fair. At the State Fair level, the queen candidates will compete in a talent/speech and interview competition, and an evening gown competition. More than 50 contestants annually compete in the state fair.

Throughout the upcoming year, Thomure will make special appearances at community events to promote, support and raise awareness about the annual county fair.

The Queen’s crowning and concert ended a day of livestock judging, relaxation and settling in of fowl, rabbits and guinea pigs.

The birds and small animals arrived in the morning in preparation for today’s judging. The crowing of roosters, which ranged from piercing squawks to full throated cries, could be heard halfway across the fairgrounds.

Youth and their animals vied for first place in the swine, sheep and goats shows. While some of the animals resisted their owners’ attempts to lead them around the arena or stand them for examination, David and Brenda Smith’s band of full-bloodied Nubians crowded round the couple, seeking attention.

“They were bottle fed, so they’re spoiled,” Brenda Smith explained after pushing down a goat that had stood on its back legs to give her a goat-style hug. Two others nibbled at the hem of a reporter’s blouse. Nearby, a youth’s goat nibbled and tugged at the plastic bag lining a trash can and nearly pulled the can over.

As rain began to fall softly on the metal roof of the cattle shed, cows, bulls and steers of all colors lay in the straw and napped.

“The saying that cows lie down when it’s going to rain is mostly an old wives tale,” said Larry Day.

Dolores Howard explained, “When cows lie down, it means they’re content.”

Today’s events include beef judging, the Junior Livestock Parade of Champions, a cowboy mounted shooting event and the Sale of Champions. Memphis Boys will perform a free concert from 7:30-10 p.m. Gates open at a.m. and admission is $6 per person.

The Sale of Champions is an auction of winning cattle, swine and sheep raised by 4-H and FFA members. Local businesses and individuals bid on the animals, and winners buy the animals from the youth. Proceeds help offset the costs of raising their livestock and give youth money for college or other future plans.

“All of us realize the value of helping these kids,” said Richard Layne, owner of Soaring Eagle Distributing Inc. of Desloge, an Anheuser-Busch wholesaler. The company has purchased prize-winning animals at the fair for 12 years.

“We’re there to support however we can. These projects teach a lot of business skills that will stick with these kids for a lifetime.”

Typically, costs per pound of the animals at the Sale of Champions is about 50 cents higher than market price, said Kevin Cook, president of First State Community Bank. The bank has purchased sale animals for the past 15 years.

“These kids have a lot more cost in the animals than most do in the market,” Cook said. “We believe 4-H and FFA are great youth programs. They teach the kind of values all of us appreciate in young people. When we see wholesome activities that young people are doing, we want to be a part of it.”

Paula Barr is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 172 or at pbarr@dailyjournalonline.com.

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