Unabashed enthusiasm and community spirit pervaded the 2014 Unionville Community Fair Queen and Princess Pageant on Tuesday night at Unionville Elementary School.
Participants had many reasons to celebrate. In addition to the selection of Queen Carly Rechenberg, 17, and Princess Shannon White, 16, the fair, now in its 90th year, received commemorative citations from state Rep. Chris Ross and Connie Windsor, a representative of state Sen. Dominic F. Pileggi.
Ross pointed out that the fair has effectively withstood the test of time. “This is a wonderful event,” he said. Even as housing density has changed the area “dramatically,” the fair continues to showcase the community’s agricultural heritage, Ross said.
The program, once again emceed by Kennett Square Borough Council President Leon R. Spencer Jr., also included a tribute to Berta Rains, a board member and 25-year volunteer. Fellow board member Bonnie Musser explained that each year the fair is dedicated to a volunteer who goes “above and beyond” as Rains has done, serving in myriad posts.
Musser said one of the highlights of their collective service to the fair occurred when former fair president Jayne Shea decided to raise chickens. Two of the birds got named “Berta and Bonnie,” said Musser, joking that it was fitting recognition for “a couple of old hens.”
The fair honoree always receives artwork so selecting a painting for Rains that featured chickens was a natural, Musser said. “This is such an honor,” Rains said as she held up the painting. “The fair is my family.”
The themes of family, community, and the area’s agricultural roots recurred throughout the program. Ellan Dunbar, 17, who tied with Rechenberg for Miss Congeniality and will serve as the alternate Queen, spoke about her early memories of the fair, which included assisting as a 5th-grader at Farmer for a Day, a popular booth for young children run by Dave Lichter, a 5th-grade teacher at Pocopson Elementary.
Dunbar said when she got older, the fair helped boost her self-confidence. She said she successfully overcame the initial terror of selling cow pie Bingo tickets and was thrilled to receive some blue ribbons in the photo competitions.
Calling the fair “close to my heart,” Rechenberg referenced the incredible artistry that
gets displayed and the importance of knowing “where our food comes from.” She urged people in the community to take advantage of the entertaining lessons in history, nutrition, and neighborhood connections that the fair offers.
Expanding on the array of talent, Spencer complimented student Eva Sheppard, who opened the program with the National Anthem. Spencer also paid tribute to Andy Joseph, a 2012 Unionville High graduate who died on Aug. 29 in New Orleans of complications from epilepsy. Joseph, 20, was a sophomore pursuing a business degree at Tulane University.
During the fair’s intermission, a slide show reminded the audience of Joseph’s contributions to the school and community. In addition to being lead singer of the musical group Windoview, a popular local band that performed frequently in the Kennett, West Chester, and Wilmington areas, Joseph played on the high school soccer team.
The slide show was accompanied by Windoview music, and Spencer, a co-founder of the Pro Musica Studio, recalled serving for a time as a vocal instructor for Joseph. He said one day Joseph wanted to introduce Spencer to two musical groups he had probably never experienced. “He was right,” Spencer acknowledged with a laugh, adding that he quickly became a fan. “His music will be a lasting tribute to this community,” Spencer said of Joseph.
In another segment spotlighting technology, Catherine Stookey, last year’s Unionville Fair Queen, addressed the audience from Minnesota, where she is attending college. Although Stookey was unable to be present, her image loomed large on a screen in the auditorium as she detailed the host of treasured memories her reign as queen provided.
Spencer credited longtime Unionville teacher Scott Duggan for the technical parts of the program, calling him the “technology overlord,” and he thanked the judges – Olen Grimes, Karen Manzone, and Michelle Thomas – for their work in selecting the pageant winners, who serve as young ambassadors. He also urged the audience to get the word out about how truly special the fair is.
Danielle Chamberlain, the fair president, said this year’s event features a number of new offerings, such as a homemade wine and beer competition, recycling, and a mobile agricultural science lab. It will also mark the return of the popular lip-synching contest. “I am committed to making the best even better,” she said.
(10 votes, average: 2.70 out of 5)
Loading...
Comments