Lauren Rennicker and Clayton Sprowl reign over 2017 fair
Lauren Rennicker, 18, of Dover and Clayton Sprowl, 17, of Port Washington will reign as queen and king of the 2017 Tuscarawas County Fair.
Rennicker is the daughter of Andrew and Michele Rennicker and attends Ohio State University ATI. She is a member of the Buckhorn Buckeyes.
Sprowl is the son of Shawn and Tracy Sprowl and attends Indian Valley High School. He is a member of the Red Rock Rebels 4-H club.
“I’d like to thank my family and friends who supported me,” Rennicker said. “I’m really excited to be the 2017 fair queen.”
Sprowl said he was honored to serve as fair king. There were no other applicants for king this year, but that didn’t mean Sprowl was automatically selected. Wendy Vogel, contest organizer, told the crowd he was required to go through the same process as the contestants for queen.
Other contestants were Makayla Miller, 17, daughter of John and Marcia Miller, Garaway High School; Kristen Oliver, 17, daughter of Tim and Frances Oliver, Indian Valley High School; Mackenzie Hursey, 18, daughter of Kip and Marjorie Hursey, Kent State Tuscarawas; and Barbi Boyd, 18, daughter of Danny and Juli Boyd, Ohio State University ATI.
Gary Petricola served as master of ceremonies of the king and queen contest for the 23rd year.
The Sandy Wardell Memorial Outstanding Junior Leadership award was presented to Amanda Fowler of Port Washington. Fowler also is the outgoing 2016 Tuscarawas County fair queen.
“Amanda was selected for her cheerful, easy-going attitude. She’s the first one to step up and be a leader, and she’s a great role model,” said Diane Glazier, who announced the award.
Fowler got emotional in addressing the crowd before the end of her reign. “It was truly an honor to serve this gracious county as fair queen,” she said, adding that the experience has opened many doors for her.
The annual 4-H Committee scholarship awards were presented to Amanda Fowler, Brandon Patterson, Dakota Lehigh, Tara Roudebush, Sara Roudebush, Maddy Schupp, Micayla Lautzenheiser and Stephanie Steel.
The 2017 plate was designed by Greg Scott of New Philadelphia and Jacque Peters. Peters took the black and white photo of the Midway Lumber Company that is featured on the plate. The plate includes the dates of the fair and that it is the 167th anniversary of the fair.
The number-one plate was purchased this year for $400 by Ethan Urfer. Last year the number-one plate went for $300.
Other winning bidders were number-two plate for $200, Mark and Jamie Beaber, Beitzel Meats; number-three plate for $200, Billman’s Appliance Center, for Fair King Clayton Sprowl; number-four plate for $250, Chet and Jen Randolph family; number-five plate for $200, Patty Arth, former fair secretary; number-six plate for $250, Eric Anderson Family; number-seven plate for $250, Cronebaugh Auctions, Sophia and Sybil Cronebaugh; number-eight plate bought by Kenny Guspyt of Guspyt Farms; number-nine plate for $225, Dr. Chismar family; and number-10 plate for $300, Billman’s Appliance Center, for Amanda Fowler, 2016 fair queen.
The number-11 plate, which supports the Fair Royalty program, went for $500 to Billman’s Appliance Center for Fair Queen Lauren Rennicker. The remaining plates will be for sale at the fair board office.
Awards also were presented to companion animal, miscellaneous and FCS project winners after the plate auction.
Fair activities continue through Sunday, Sept. 24. For more information visit www.tuscarawascountyfair.com.
