Irwin relishes final days as Holmes Co. Fair queen

For Sarah Irwin, who has served alongside her court and represented the Holmes County Fair and her community and county as the Holmes County Junior Fair queen for the past year, the last 50 weeks have been a bit of a blur.

As her time winds down and she prepares to pass the title along to the new 2023-24 queen, Irwin is taking stock in everything she has accomplished and the memories she has placed in her scrapbooks throughout the experience.

Even though she was experienced as a contestant in the contest, she said it still shocked her to hear her name called as the new queen last year.

“We always have so many great contestants running for this every year, and they would all be great,” Irwin said. “I think each year you run, you gain in confidence and expectations, and while you might have all the confidence in the world, you just never know until that moment finally arrives and you hear your name called. It was a thrill.”

Having been an attendant a year prior and as a member of the Holmes County Junior Fair Board, Irwin understood immediately what the role would entail and dove in headfirst. She said the busy fair week was a good introduction, and she and her court never slowed down in what was a busy year of attending fairs and festivals around the state.

She said the busy slate of activities and the travel time with her court was something she will cherish, although it was a lot of time and effort. She said she and members of the court hit close to two dozen fairs and added some festivals, and those memories of spending time with friends is what she will cherish more than the title of being queen.

The court included King Garrett Houin and attendants Brianna Vansickle and Alysa Pringle.

“I loved traveling with my court,” Irwin said. “Hanging out with my friends was the best. We had so much fun, met lots of wonderful people along the way and made some memories we won’t ever forget.”

She said her time was filled with lighthearted moments that had nothing to do with attending the events in an official capacity.

While enjoying each trip and every moment was what made the year worthwhile for Irwin, she did take her role of representing her fair and county quite seriously.

Irwin said her friends make fun of her all the time for her ability to get rolling once she starts talking, and she said getting up in front of big crowds at the various fairs and festivals and speaking was an honor.

“Being able to talk to so many people about our awesome Holmes County Fair and our county as a whole and everything great about it was a wonderful experience,” Irwin said. “Plus, by the time I was done speaking in front of people, I had made a lot of new friends along the way. I think it was a good way for me to push myself to grow.”

She said she developed her speaking skills through the West Holmes FFA program, and the chance to develop those speaking skills by traveling across the state only enhanced her level of skill and allowed her to become much more comfortable in front of crowds.

“Honestly, I used to be the most shy, timid person ever,” Irwin said. “Now, as soon as I see people, whether I know them or not, I’m going up and talking to them. I love talking to people.”

She said the year also helped her grow in her leadership skills, something she attributed to both the FFA and the Holmes County 4-H programs.

As she prepares to head off to college at Marietta University later this fall, Irwin said her experiences in 4-H, FFA and as queen have helped prepare her to step outside her comfort zone and challenge herself to act as a leader.

“I feel like my leadership capabilities and my desire to be service- and community-oriented have grown dramatically,” she said. “I am looking forward to seeking out different organizations, and I’m already enrolled in a leadership program at Marietta. I think the past year of serving as queen has really helped me better understand how important those traits are in life.”