Fair queen draws on her farming roots
Published 12:00 am Thursday, July 14, 2005
How did Rebecca Capper nail the swimsuit portion of the 2005 Lawrence County Fair Queen competition?
"Duct tape, duct tape, duct tape," Capper said with a laugh.
No, there is not actually any bikini wearing required to become queen, but it is that kind of quick thinking and sharp wit that helped Capper win the crown.
The 17-year-old Symmes Valley student will be entering her senior year in the fall. Dressed in a red prom gown, Capper is more than a pretty face - she has the farm credibility to back up her throne.
"I've been involved in 4-H and FFA from the time I was knee-high to a grasshopper," Capper said. "I live on a farm, so just being able to represent what it's all about is what made me want to do it."
Usually Capper brings rabbits to compete in the fair, but she decided to mix it up with hogs this year. Apparently, they were good luck.
As part of her duties as fair queen, she hands out the trophies, her first official act being the market lamb awards later in the day Monday.
Capper was presented the crown by 2004 fair queen Jessi Herrell, who didn't seem too broken up about passing on the torch, or tiara, as it were.
"Nah, it doesn't bother me very much," Herrell said. "I like Becca, so I'm glad she got it."
One of Capper's main responsibilities will be competing in the state fair queen competition.
However, she won't get a crack at it until the year after next, to allow her to compete with the young ladies that win in their county fairs after the state fair.
Then, of course, there will be all the requisite parades, and a few other personal appearances.
With all her new powers, there was one perk that Capper wasn't sure was extended to the queen: free concessions.
"I don't know, I'll have to work on that one," Capper said. "That's a good idea, isn't it? You know what I should have? I should have my own golf cart."
Capper's reign may not be one of free corn dogs, but it seems like it will certainly be full of laughs.