Pageant History
1936
The Fair board elected to have a Queen preside over the Farm Show. Elizabeth Heitebeitel (married name – Clark) was chosen and crowned the first Harvest Queen. She was showered with applause from the audience as the girls walked down the aisle to the stage.
1937
The queen contest halted and was replaced by an Amateur Hour. However, the student body and visitors alike expressed their interest in having a Queen continue to reign over the Fair
The Harvest Queen contest re-instated. Ten girls were selected by vote of the student body from the Jr. and Sr. classes. The winner selected by 3 judges, applause was considered, but the judge’s decision would be final. Each of the girls selected received $1.00.
1938
1939
Bette Hughes (m. - Anderson) was queen in 1939, her sister Dot Hughes (m. –Todd) was chosen Queen 2 years later. Bette was the mother of past president Bonnie Musser
1940
Laura Case (m.- Deckman) was Queen in 1940, her daughter Shirley Deckman (m. – Corkran) was Queen in 1961. Laura is the grandmother of former Fair President Deb Deckman. Barbara Simpers (m. – Richards) and her daughter Amy Richards were both Queens as well.
1955
No contestants expressed interest in the Fair, and consideration of why and what could be changed had to be addressed.
1956
The Harvest Queen contestants were chosen by a speech about the Fair and/or the local rural community in which they lived.
1960
Additional changes were made to the pageant, with the updated competition featuring a talent, evening gown, focusing on poise, answering questions and interviews with judges.
1996
The Queen Pageant transitioned to the Unionville Community Fair Queen Pageant and was based on the rules of the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs (PSACF). The contestants are judged on their presentation of a speech about the Fair, poise and interviews with the judges. The winner of UC Fair Queen pageant now goes to the PSACF convention in January to compete there with up to 80 other girls from the Fairs across the state.
2010
The UC Fair Queen, Claire Werkiser was chosen as the PA State Fair Queen for 2011. Claire traveled all over the state visiting other Fairs, opening the PA State Farm Show with the Governor, meeting with other state officials and speaking at many of these events.
