The Montgomery County Fair kicked off on Monday by crowning a new queen as well as new recipients for Little Mr. and Miss.

Lila Uthlaut was crowned the Fair Queen, while Colton Talley and Kiersten Rakers were named Little Mr. and Miss. Contests were held at the Grandstands Arena at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.

Uthlaut, who lives in Montgomery County, became the second Hermann High graduate in as many years to be voted fair queen. She was part of a court that included Montgomery City resident Ann Rose, Wellsville residents Matti Hager and Madison Bickell, Rhineland resident Sarabeth Trenner and Hermann resident Melanie Mueller.

Uthlaut, who plans to attend the University of Wyoming this fall, also earned awards for top interview, top speech or talent and top evening gown. She performed a four-minute speech about her growing up at the Montgomery County Fair. By being named queen, Uthlaht received a $1,000 cash prize plus a plaque, sash, crown and a bouquet of flowers. She received her crown from last year’s queen Macy Bader.

In the final question segment of the queen contest, Uthlaut talked about her experiences of going to the Washington Leadership Conference.

“It really opened my horizons and got me out of my comfort zone,” Uthlaut said. “Even though I was the youngest kid there, it still didn’t let me down. I took every opportunity to shake hands and meet people. It was a memorable experience I’ll never forget.”

Trenner, who is a student at Hermann High School, was voted first runner-up. Bickell, who will be a junior at Mexico High School this fall, was named second runner-up. 

Hager, who will be a junior at Wellsville-Middletown High School this fall, earned an award for Miss Congeniality and picked up the People’s Choice Award. Rose, who will be a junior at Montgomery County High School this fall, won an award for top season pass seller after selling 129 season passes.

In the Mr. and Miss contest, Kiersten and Colton were part of a court that included Jack Bolte, Evelyn Cobb, Willow Hamilton and Evelyn Freie. 

Kiersten wore A League of Their Own outfit and sang Take Me Out To The Ballgame, while Colton was telling jokes such as, “Why did the banana go to the doctors? Because it wasn’t peeling good.”

Juanita Hadden, a 2022 MCHS graduate, did a special performance before and during the Fair Queen contest.

The fair continues through Saturday.

A print version of this story will be published in the July 23 edition of the Montgomery Standard.