The suspenseful Franklin County 4-H Fair Queen Pageant mirrors a larger one to which all contestants aspire.

“We like to keep the pageant the same every year to be consistent with the state fair queen pageant,” explains Becky Schwab, Brookville, who is coordinating the contest with Dana Hornung, West College Corner, and Elizabeth Rosenberger and Amber Ross, Cedar Grove. Organizers all served on past queen’s courts.

The free event, which is open to the public, is slated for Sunday, June 28, at 6:30 p.m. at the Franklin County High School auditorium, Brookville.

The 10 contestants, who are current or past 4-H members between 16 and 20, have learned about pageant wardrobe, hair, makeup and poise at four meetings.

“This year’s group is pretty quiet,” Schwab notes. “They've listened intently at all the meetings and hopefully have gotten some useful advice from the committee members.”

She adds, “The best advice I can give the girls is to be themselves. If they try to act fake, the judges and audience will see right through them.”

During a June 25 three-hour rehearsal at the auditorium, candidates practiced walking in the shoes they will wear Sunday. “There are two patterns that they have to remember, one for the speech and one for the question,” the coordinator says. Interviewing skills, including introductions, sitting professionally and answering questions, were also covered.

Three out-of-county judges will determine the winner after a chain of events on pageant day. Following an afternoon luncheon for judges and contestants, each teen undergoes a five- to seven-minute interview. “This counts for the largest part of their final score,” Schwab points out.

During the pageant, each entrant gives a short speech about herself. “The most stressful part they worry about is the speech because none of them likes to talk in front of large crowds,” Schwab says.

After an outfit change, each will answer a random question read by 2008 Queen Abby Thackery.

To keep the evening lively, Vicki's Dixon Dance Studios will entertain the crowd during a costume change and judges’ deliberations.

Organizers are hoping a good crowd will be there to support the local 4-H’ers who want to add another chapter to their club experience.

Schwab predicts the qualities the new queen will exhibit: “confidence, maturity and a sweet personality!”