As the Genesee County Fair approaches, anticipation rises for the annual Princess/Queen Pageant, scheduled to take place on July 19 and 21 at the fairgrounds in Batavia.
The pageant, a highlight of the fair, offers participants a unique opportunity for personal growth and development while also opening doors to significant educational and career prospects. Moreover, it serves as a vital platform for agricultural representation, fostering a positive impact on both individuals and their communities.
Participants in the pageant receive complimentary entry to the fair, granting them access to a plethora of engaging activities and exhibits. The event itself comprises several components, including delivering a speech, showcasing a talent, and fielding questions from a panel of judges. Additionally, contestants have the honor of joining the fair's parade, further enriching their experience.
2023 Genesee County Fair Queen Kattherine Ewert. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Monday evening’s fair queen festivities wrapped up with several surprises for contestants, as only Pageant Director Verginia Zocco (and The Batavian, per a prior conversation) knew that she had planned on dispersing special awards for particular attributes.
After a two-day competition amongst a dozen girls aged 6 through 17 in various categories from Little Miss and Duchess to Princess up to Queen, the winners were finally announced at the entertainment tent at Genesee County Fair.
The first runner-up for queen was Panorea Florence Tsoukalos, daughter of Ted and Kris of Batavia. Pon, as she’s nicknamed, received a crown, sash, flowers and a $150 check.
That left the remaining candidate, Katherine Ewert, as the title recipient of the 2023 Fair Queen. During a previous interview with The Batavian on Sunday, a humble Katherine wished her fellow contestant well and, in fact, said she would understand if Pon, 16, won the competition.
After the crowning on Monday, Katherine, a student at Attica Central, was surprised to be the winner and wasn’t sure how she felt about it.
“I don't even know, I guess I didn't expect to win or anything like that. It's just a little shocking, honestly, because Panorea is such a great contestant as well,” the 17-year-old said while wearing the official queen sash. “But I'm super glad that I can set the example to girls.”
Katherine is the daughter of Doug and Nancy and the youngest of four girls. She has been involved in 4-H Horse Club since age 9 and served as president of the Mystics riders club in 2022.
As part of her new title, Katherine also received flowers, a $200 check and a gift certificate for a complimentary Gown and Crown photo session.
A major theme for the contestants was farming and agriculture, which also appealed to Katherine, she said.
“Agriculture is super important in our community, and people in agriculture are some of the hardest working people I've ever met,” she said. “And it's important to represent agriculture, and without agriculture, we wouldn't really have anything. No food, no materials, or anything like that. So it's really important to focus on agriculture and keep it going.”
Overall, how does she think she’ll remember this win years from now?
“I think I’d be like, wow — it’s really cool that I did something like that,” she said. “I felt like I really wanted to get the message out about agriculture and the importance of it to a lot of people, and I feel like I did that.”
Grand Princess went to Gabriella Zocco, who received a crown, sash, flowers, a $100 check and a gift certificate for a complimentary Gown and Crown photo session.
Princess went to Cassandra Judge, daughter of Chris Judge and Heidi Mendes-Judge. She received a crown, sash, flowers, a $100 check and gift certificate for a complimentary Gown and Crown photo session.
First runner-up for Duchess went to Isabella Rose-Therese Redden, daughter of Andrew and Theresa Tesch and Andrew Potter. She received a crown, sash and flowers.
Duchess went to Layla Baker of Basom, daughter of Breanne and Nathan. She received a crown, sash, flowers, a $50 check and gift certificate for a complimentary Gown and Crown photo session.
Miss had two-second runner-ups, and they were Carly Hanel, daughter of Jody, and Zoe Castro, each will receive a crown, sash and flowers; and a first runner-up, who was Eleanor Hudson, daughter of Jeremiah and Holly of Alabama, who received a crown, sash and flowers.
The Miss title went to Morgenn Surabian of Batavia, who received a crown, sash, flowers, a $50 check and a gift certificate for a complimentary Gown and Crown photo session.
Little Miss runner-up Lyza Baker of Basom received a crown, sash and flowers, and Little Miss went to Kali Martino, daughter of Stephen and Karen of Batavia, who received a crown, sash, flowers, $50 check and a gift certificate for a complimentary Gown and Crown photo session.
A 2022 Stephanie Lynn Tooley Memorial “From the Heart” Award was presented to Katherine Ewert, the newly crowned 2023 fair queen.
The Susan Meier “Most Photogenic” Award was given to the contestant who possessed “photogenic appeal and ability to project an image consistent with beauty and elegance.” The judge is looking for personality, beauty, grooming, fashion sense and confidence in selecting someone for this award, organizers said.
This award went to Lyza Baker, who, along with her parents, sister and brothers, raises rabbits, chickens, ducks and goats, is in 4-H and “loves showing her animals” at the fair.
