Experiencing Fair Queen

Monday night was the Fair Queen contest here in Shippensburg, Pa.  How nerve racking it was for me. I can only imagine how Nicole was feeling.  I did my best to not show how I was feeling. Let's just say I didn't sleep well the night before.

It rained in buckets during the day and there was a chance for it in the evening.  I went to set up our chairs earlier in the day.  I didn't get there early enough though!  My goodness, half the hill was already filled! So I chose what I could.  People that come to watch this every year, know the routine lol.  When we got there it started to rain when we sat down. I did bring umbrella's and I brought towels to put on our chairs, since I knew they would be wet from the morning.  Luckily, the rain was short lived and stopped  before the pageant started. 

The theme this year was a jungle theme.  Here is the stage before the girls came out.

The girls had a short dance routine to Jungle Love.  Nicole is the one on the left in the back row.

Now left in the front.

Her Dad walking her out and across the stage as they announced her.....

A hug for good luck :)

Nicole telling a little bit about herself. I was on the edge of my seat. She did so well!

All 19 contestants!

Nicole's question that she answered so naturally and from the heart. She got a great applause :)

Nicole did not end up winning and that was fine with her. She is now free to enjoy the rest of the fair week with her friends.  She experienced it and enjoyed it a lot.  I cannot tell you how many strangers came up to us after it was all over and told us that she deserved to be in the top 5. (we thought so too :)). And how many strangers came up to us and told her how beautiful she looked and how her gown they thought was the pretiest up there.  I told Nicole if there was a category for the prettiest gown, she may have won that with all who said so lol.  I did not get a shot of the girl who did win, but her name was Hannah.  You could tell she wanted it bad!  

We are so Proud of Nicole and her achievements over this past year. She has really stepped out and tried new things.  A great outlook to an awesome future ahead.

We would also like to thank my friend Donna for lending us this dress (for the second time!).  Her daughter Dani wore this to her Prom and Nicole wore it a couple years ago to a Prom and now this. Donna was happy it was getting used!

No matter what, she is our Queen ~~~

George and I walked to the fair last night to check out how the fair entries did and to have some fair food for dinner. Hard to eat healthy at the fair, so I'm not even going to think of it this week.  Too much to enjoy, but I am being sensible :).   I did see that I won first place on my horse rug and second place on a punch needle piece I did.   What was really exciting was that one woman who hooked a cat head in fine cut and had scripture around the border of the rug won first place AND Best of Show!!  First time I have seen a rug take Best of Show at this fair. It is up against big quilts.  So Congrat's to Thelma!! Can't wait to see her and congratulate her!

Off to get ready to meet up with my friend Donna for lunch at the Fair during her lunch break from work. Hoping to come home and relax this afternoon.