4 • The Beacon September 22 , 2022
Former fair kings and queens share memories of their reigns
By Jen Jones
Being chosen as the Coshocton County Junior Fair king or queen is an honor , and even several years after they give up their crown , it brings back happy memories and thoughts of the lessons they learned while being fair king or queen .
Jeremy Rine was named the Coshocton County Junior Fair king in 2000 .
“ I started 4-H early on and then also showing goats at the fair ,” he said . “ During the fair we ’ d spend most of every day at the fair , showing and taking care of our goats , walking around the fair or just hanging out with friends in the junior fair barns . The fair was more of a family event than just a day or two of riding rides . I think being king seemed like a fun way to be a little more involved in the fair — along with some peer pressure from my 4-H group to apply .”
Rine said being king really made him appreciate all of the hard work everyone participating in the fairs puts in . “ Throughout the fair and all year and certainly all the work the parents did . I enjoyed going around and watching the other livestock shows and handing out trophies and ribbons ,” he said .
Theresa Drummond also was royalty in 2000 . “ I was very involved in the agriculture community through Ridgewood FFA — public speaking , judging team and officer team ,” she said . “ Running for fair queen seemed like the natural capstone to my involvement prior to heading to college . I also wanted to follow in my older sister ’ s footsteps — Marissa Mullett Berry , who was queen two years prior .”
Drummond said being queen taught her leadership and communication skills and how to talk in front of groups of people of any age . Her special memories include getting to meet Joe Diffie after his concert at the fair . “ Also getting to pass out ribbons and trophies during
the fair to junior fair participants and congratulating them on their hard work ,” she said .
Molly Shrimplin Wright was crowned junior fair queen in 2002 . When asked why she wanted to be queen , Wright said , “ The Coshocton County Fair and 4-H were a huge part of my life — and still are today — so becoming queen meant representing and being the face of these things that had been such an important part of my childhood and life for many years . It had been a goal of mine since I was a little girl seeing other fair queens whom I had great respect for , so when it was my turn , I jumped at the opportunity to run for such an honorable role .”
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Dilyn Tumblin was the 2020 junior fair queen . Her cousin Brett Kinzel was honored to have the opportunity to crown her .
Wright said being queen taught her responsibility and helped her gain confidence in being in front of others and speaking in public . “ It also taught me that kindness and respect can take you a long way in life ,” she said .
Her crowning ceremony is her favorite memory . “ Looking up in the grandstand and seeing that a huge section was taken up by my family and friends that day — all there to support me . It was very humbling to have such a wonderful support system . The fair in 2002 was something I will never forget , and it was such an honor to attend all of the shows and be involved in the fair in a way I had never been before ,” she said .
Collin McCoy was the 2015 junior fair king . “ I initially wanted to run for fair king because of the older kids I looked up to growing up winning it . Then I realized it was good to run for because there were probably kids that I could lead by example for , as well , if I got it ,” he said .
McCoy said being king taught him a couple of different things . “ During the fair you tried to attend every show you could to help out or hand out ribbons and trophies , but what you really saw was how much work everyone puts into every project — big or small ,” he said . “ They are all a lot of work . It also taught me to be a good example for the younger kids to look up to , and the big lesson is that winning fair king just isn ’ t random . It ’ s built from all of the previous years ’ hard work and leadership and time you put in to make 4-H better as a whole that helps the decision on who gets the honor to be Coshocton County Fair king .
“ I have a lot of great memories of working the shows , representing Coshocton County as junior fair king in parades and other local events , and also getting to represent Coshocton at other fairs throughout the state .”
Brett Kinzel was the junior fair queen in 2019 . “ I wanted to be fair queen because to me it felt like it was the highest recognition and honor that I could receive being a member of 4-H . I have always loved the fair , so it was a huge honor ,” she said .
Kinzel said being queen taught her how to represent something . “ When I would go to other fairs or events , I was representing our county ,” she said . “ It taught me more leadership skills that way as well . I also learned good interview skills and how to represent myself .”
Kinzel said the most special memory of her time as queen was crowning her cousin , Dilyn Tumblin , the next queen . “ When COVID first hit , we weren ’ t able to have a traditional crowning of the next royalty . I was happy that I was still able to do it in person . That was probably the most special moment for me . The whole experience was really something special , and I ’ m glad I got the opportunity ,” she said .
The 2001 junior fair king was Robbie Wells . “ I wanted to be king because I loved the junior fair , along with everyone and everything it represented . I grew up in 4-H and
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Jaden Thomas , right , was crowned the 2018 junior fair king . Being chosen as the Coshocton County Junior Fair king or queen is an honor , and even several years after they give up their crown , it brings back happy memories to past fair royalty .
joined FFA in high school . As a young 4-H member , I looked up to the big kids that served as king and queen . It was a natural progression to wanting to serve as junior fair king ,” he said .
Wells said being king gave him the opportunity to represent an organization , both during the fair and at other events throughout the year . “ I learned a lot about the local community and the important role agriculture plays in Central Ohio . I learned valuable leadership , public speaking and time-management lessons , all of which have helped me over the years ,” he said .
The friendship of other candidates and his court are Wells ’ favorite memories . “ The late ‘ 90s to early 2000s seemed like a peak time in junior fair participation ,” he said . “ The nominees consisted of people from all the area high schools , representing the majority of eligible groups — 4-H , FFA and Scouts . There were musicians , lettermen , farmers and city kids . We represented a wide section of the community and , despite our different interests and backgrounds , got along and had fun .”
Wells ’ queen was Mary Thomas . “ The king and queen court was always something I looked up to while attending the fair each year . I can remember being a kid and having the queen talk to me during a show . At that time I thought I was meeting a celebrity . It was such a simple memory that I wanted to be able to share with other kids when I had the chance to run for fair queen ,” she said .
Thomas said she learned the importance of showing up and helping with shows and events .
“ While it seems fun to help pass out awards , there is a lot of work during the fair that the king and queen court and junior fair board members are relied upon to help with in order for things to run smoothly ,” she said . “ Just one or two people not showing up puts a strain on others to get everything done .
“ Fair time was always my favorite week of the year . We camped there all week . There was so much work that went into getting projects ready for the fair , then taking care of everything while there . It was always an exhausting week . But when it was over , we were counting down to next year ’ s fair .”
Jaden Thomas was crowned the 2018 junior fair king . “ I wanted to be fair king to travel , be able to meet new people , visit with other fair royalty and bring back new ideas from other fairs to ours and to represent the Coshocton County Fair ,” he said .
He said being fair king helped him to be more outgoing and able to meet new people easier .
“ And putting myself out there to represent the fair the best I could . My two favorite memories I have as fair king is when I was chosen to be fair king and going to the Adams County Fair and being in their parade with my cousin , who was a fair queen runner-up ,” he said . “ I did travel a lot and met a lot of nice people all around the state . When I went to a fair , I always got a picture with a pig . I also did festivals and parades , which were also a lot of fun . I really enjoyed being able to represent Coshocton County .”
Being chosen as the Coshocton County Junior Fair king or queen is a huge honor . It also is a lot of hard work . But each of these former royalty also said it was an incredible year with many special memories made .
The 2022 Coshocton County Junior Fair king and queen will be crowned during the opening ceremonies held Friday , Sept . 30 at 5 p . m . in Hunter Arena at the fairgrounds .