CLEARFIELD – On Sunday afternoon, contestant Halee Kephart was the judges’ favorite, as she was crowned the 2010 Clearfield County Fair Queen at the grandstand.
“(While waiting for the results to be announced,) I thought if I’m not first or second, I’m not in this court,” Kephart said.
“Then, they announced me as queen, and I couldn’t believe it. I was like ‘are they sure that’s right? Did they just same my name?’”
Kephart, 19, is the daughter of David and Janice Kephart of Curwensville and a graduate of the Curwensville Area High School.
She’s currently enrolled in the practical nursing program at the Clearfield County Career and Technology Center.
Kephart was the third runner-up in last year’s fair queen competition. She said her experience completely changed her life and prepared her for this year.
According to her, she learned a lot from 2009 Fair Queen Rachel Syktich. She said the former queen taught her determination and grace as well as to love their fair.
“And, she taught me to basically not worry about it,” Kephart said of the competition with a light laugh. “I’m just so excited.”
During the speech segment, Kephart congratulated the community for celebrating its 150th fair this year.
“Why should you come to my fair? You already have all the answers,” she said. She said agriculture is currently Pennsylvania’s top industry.
She noted that agriculture accounts for one of every seven jobs in the state and that 92 percent of farms are family-owned.
In 1860, Kephart said community members organized a gathering during “the hottest week of summer” to celebrate agriculture. She said then the fair was born.
Kephart said the same tradition continues this year, drawing attendees from “far and wide” to the fairgrounds. She said it would be tradition for thousands to line the streets for the parade and fireworks Monday night.
She said it would be tradition for families to stroll through the animal barns before hitting the midway carnival with their children.
“It’s our tradition; it’s our life. Here’s to 150 years and to 150 more,” Kephart said.
Kephart will be joined by first runner-up Kathrine Dixon and second runner-up Melanie Swartz. Both are 18 years old and graduates of the Moshannon Valley Junior – Senior High School.
Dixon is the daughter of Thomas and Dawn Dixon, of Houtzdale. Swartz is the daughter of Frank and Mary Ann Swartz of Ginter.
Prior to the end of her reign, Syktich offered her farewell. She said people’s lives are shaped by the choices they make.
When she became involved with the fair queen program, she admitted she had “no idea” about the opportunities that would be presented to her.
“On Aug. 2, 2009, my life was shaped, when they called my name,” Syktich recalled. “It will be the same for one of these girls today.”
Reflecting back to a year ago, Syktich said her “first stop” was harness racing. She was asked to go for a ride.
“I thought, ‘they really are trying to kill me,’” she said with a laugh.
But once on the track, she realized her experience was one rarely found at present-day fairs. She pointed out that Clearfield is one of just 15 fairs statewide that still offer harness racing.
She said fair week was highlighted by her screaming each time Alice Cooper pointed to her among the track crowd, sharing “dippy pizza” with her court and laughing with former fair queens while playing Fat Albert.
“I have many stories but promised the girls that I’d keep it to 10 minutes,” Syktich said. She said the constant support and stories of the former queens were valuable to her and will be to the future queen.
She continued, “It was the best fair I ever had. It was an unforgettable year. I don’t think that I’m ever going to say goodbye.”