Bailey is crowned by 2005 Queen Keela Roser

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana State Fair crowned Bailey Reigh Hoover, a freshman-to-be at the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing, as its 2006 State Fair Queen Sunday afternoon (Aug. 21) at the Pepsi Coliseum.

The recent Winamac Community High School graduate beat out 85 other contestants to become the second queen in the pageant’s 48-year history from Pulaski County (Amber Connolly, 1997).

After anxiously watching as the top five contestants names were called, Hoover had a look of disbelief as she heard her name announced as Miss Indiana State Fair for the fair’s 150th anniversary in 2006.

Hoover, 18, is a 10-year 4-H member and a former Indiana Purebred Queen and Hoosier Hampshire Queen. She is also a member of the National Honor Society, Pulaski County 4-H Jr. Leaders, SADD and many other school and civic organizations. She plans to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing with a minor in Spanish and eventually would like to be a nurse anesthetist. When she’s not spending time with family and friends, she likes to scrapbook, cook and sing.

At this summer's Pulaski County 4-H & Community Fair, Bailey also reigned as the 2005 4-H Royalty Queen, as well as being crowned Miss Pulaski County.

The queen’s court is as follows:
• 1st Runner-up—Nicole Meadors, Miss Pike County
• 2nd Runner-up—Katie Beste, Miss Posey County
• 3rd Runner-up—Lisa DeBaun, Miss Daviess County
• 4th Runner-up—Erica King, Miss Boone County
Miss Congeniality: Tara Fraley, Miss Porter County

The Queen and her court

Other top 10 finalists included (in no particular order): Tara Judith Fraley, Miss Porter County; LaTisha Kay Brawner, Miss Jefferson County; Breeann Tarin Brooks, Miss Huntington County; Jordan Whitney Snoddy, Miss Fountain County; Kylie Mauer, Miss Decatur County.

Bailey was crowned by 2005 Queen Keela Roser of Wabash County. The new queen will reign over next summer's state fair, which will be its sesquicentennial anniversary, after making numerous appearances during the coming year.

Here are some facts about the state fair queen pageant, according to pageant organizers:

• Eligibility: The contestants are winners of their own county fair Queen Pageants. Therefore, an average of 88 county queens gather in Indianapolis each August to compete for the title of Miss Indiana State Fair. Contestants must be ages 16-20.

• Judging: Half of the judging is based on the candidate's interview. Thirty percent is based on the evening gown competition, and 20 percent is based on the professional wear competition.

• Prizes: Miss Indiana State Fair receives a $1,000 prize, a $1,000 wardrobe, tiara, trophy and other gifts.

• Trivia: Thirty-two of the 92 counties in Indiana have had pageant winners. The first pageant was held in 1958.

Miss Indiana State Fair 2006 Bailey Hoover of Pulaski County

Although the purpose of the Indiana State Fair Queen Pageant itself is to select the next Queen, the main objective behind the event is to choose the best Indiana State Fair representative possible.

The Indiana State Fair Queen is not just a "symbol" of the fair, and organizers have worked to move away from the "beauty pageant" image. Contestants are not judged in swimsuits; judging categories are Interview, Evening Gown and Professional Wear.

Miss Indiana State Fair is a valuable spokesperson who uses her title as a way to market the 12-day event. She travels over 6,000 miles each June and July visiting an average of 33 county fairs and festivals in order to promote the upcoming Indiana State Fair. Appearances often consist of participation in fair activities, county fair and festival parades, county queen pageants and contestant get-togethers.

During the fair, pageant officials note it is important that the Queen be able to speak to and converse with all types of visitors and guests - 4-Hers, exhibitors, individuals from both rural and urban communities, dignitaries, sponsor representatives, etc. Quite often, 4-H experience equals some degree of knowledge about or familiarity with the Indiana State Fair. However, this is not a requirement for entry in the Queen Pageant.

To see a list of previous Indiana State Fair queens, click here.

Photos courtesy of Jack Burger

Pulaski County well-represented by its 4-Hers at State Fair

Click here to see the state fair judging results!