For many years, Cora Johnson was a spectator of the Montgomery County Fair q ueen contest.

“Even as a little kid, I thought the most amazing people in the world were the Fair Queen,” the Montgomery City resident said. “Those people got to wear the pretty sashes, handed out ribbons and they were everything I thought our fair was. Even from a young age, I knew that I wanted to be one of those big kids.”

On Monday, Johnson became one of those “big kids” as she was crowned this year’s Montgomery County Fair queen. It was the first time she participated in the queen contest.

Johnson will get to participate in many events during the Montgomery County Fair, which ends on Saturday. She was in the parade on Tuesday. She will be in other events such as the Junior Livestock Show on Thursday and the Baby Show on Saturday. Johnson is also a member of the Junior Fair Board.

“I can’t wait to see all of the fair events this week,” said Johnson, who graduated from Montgomery County High School in May. “I’ve been to most of them in the past, but this takes on a whole new meaning.”

Hermann resident Allison Boedges was named first runner-up. Boedges’ older sister, Samantha, was also a Fair queen candidate.

Boedges, who will be a senior at Hermann High this fall, said her family was helpful during her time as a contestant at the queen contest.

“My family means more than to me than anything else in the world,” Boedges said. “My parents have given me love. My parents have been given me support, a work ethic, responsibility, respect, a roof over my head and three meals a day every single day of my life.”

El Reagan, who will be a senior at MCHS this fall, was named second runner-up. The High Hill resident, who was voted first runner-up in last year’s contest, also won the People’s Choice Award.

Reagan, who performed a guitar solo called “Dime Store Cowgirl,” said her parents have been valuable people in her life.

“If I could give one thing back to my parents, it would be all of the energy they spent on creating a loving and safe environment for not only me, but for the rest of my family,” Reagan said. “I had the privilege of having them as parents, but also getting to experience them becoming grandparents to my nieces and nephews.”

Caliber Gotsch and Josie Bishop were winners of the Little Mr. and Miss contests, respectively. Caliber, the son of Sadie Gotsch and Tommy Carlock of Rhineland, performed “Our God Is An Awesome God.” Josie, the daughter of Brittany Bishop of Wellsville and Chuck Bishop of Montgomery City, performed a cheerleading routine.

Willow Hamilton, Loretta Elmore, Serenity Struttman, Luke Barnett, Owen Viola, Danica Strope, Khloe Schofield, Paul Eckler and Stella Ridgley were the other candidates in the Little Mr. and Miss Contest.

Thirteen years ago, Johnson won the Little Miss Contest at the fair. This year, the 18-year-old won the queen contest just one month before she will become a freshman at Washington University in St. Louis. She also won an award for best interview, which talked about her experiences of running her business, Cora’s Confections.

“Just being up here and getting to see all of these little kids looking up to me is taking a whole new meaning,” Johnson said.

Johnson received her crown and sash from last year’s winner, Izzy Freymuth, who attends the University of Missouri-Columbia. She also earned a $1,000 cash prize, plaque and a bouquet of flowers.

Kristi Hager, Abbigail Kleinsorge, Kaitlin Nelson, Shyenne Surls, Maddie West and Jaylynn Zerr were the other queen candidates. Zerr was voted Miss Congeniality, Hager won an award for top season pass seller, West won top evening gown and Samantha Boedges earned an award for best speech.

Weeks before the contest, all of the candidates participated in a barbecue fundraiser in which they delivered 700 meals in two hours to local businesses.

“The committee and contestants had a fantastic fundraiser,” said Malerie Schutt, who was the mistress of ceremonies. “We would like to thank those who purchased and also those who helped pull off such a successful fundraiser. It was a great team effort.”

Editor's note: The print version of the Montgomery County Fair queen contest will be published in the July 26th issue.