ROME TOWNSHIP — The heavy rains over the weekend meant the 12 women competing for queen and princess of the Lawrence County Fair had to team up sequined-laded ball gowns with cowboy boots to trudge across the muddy arena to get to the stage.

Winning the top prize as queen was Skye Barnett, daughter of Larry and Beth Barnett. She is a 2013 graduate of Rock Hill High School and a member of the County Rebels 4-H Club.

“I’m very honored,” Barnett said after receiving her crown and sash. “The fair means everything to me. I’ve been coming here since I was a kid.”

Taking places in her court were Ashton McMackin, daughter of Patrick and LaDona McMackin, and Hannah Williams, daughter of Stephen and Donna Williams.

McMackin is a senior at Ironton High School and a member of the Dog Fork Hay Makers 4-H Club. Williams is a 2013 graduate of Symmes Valley High School and a member of the Farm Hands Club.

Also competing for the title of fair queen were Malenna Davis, daughter of Ed and Tammy Davis, and Caitlyn Madden, daughter of Lisa Lewis and Eric Christian. Davis is a 2013 graduate of Symmes Valley High School and a member of the Farm Hands Club. Madden is a senior at Symmes Valley and a member of the Wanna Be Farmers Club.

Named fair princess was Montana Runnels, daughter of Shawn Runnels and Amber Tredway. She is in the eighth grade at Fairland Middle School and a member of the Starlite 4-H Club.

“I’m very excited,” Runnels said. “I love the fair. I come every year. It means be able to be with friends.”

Her court was made up of Cassie Leith, daughter of Joe and Tara Leith, and Kara Saunders, daughter of Jeff and Debbie Saunders. Leith is in the eighth grade and a member of the Starlite 4-H Club. Saunders is in the seventh grade at Symmes Valley Middle School and a member of the Starlite Club.

Also competing for princess was Rachael Copley, daughter of Donna Hughes, Hannah Gates, daughter of Steve and Delana Gates, Haley Pancake, daughter of Donald and Becky Pancake, and Emily Russell, daughter of Jessica Russell. Copley is a freshman at South Point High School and a member of the Ridge Runners 4-H Club. Gates is in the eighth grade at Symmes Valley Middle School and a member of the Scottown Farmers and Farmerettes Club. Pancake is in the seventh grade at Symmes Valley and a member of the Arabia All Stars Club. Russell is in the eighth grade at Fairland Middle School and a member of the Ridge Runners Club.

Master of ceremonies for the pageant was Jessi Herrell.