Back, After Ten Years, Bent County Royalty is Accepting Candidates

It's been ten years since the Bent County Royalty program was in practice and it's back.

Current Bent County Fair Royalty Princess Keara Sharp explained she was happy to be able to wear the crown as her mom was fair royalty. So, when current queen Shali Van Campen started the move to bring it back, she knew she wanted to be a part of it.

Shali said she has enjoyed being the Bent County Fair Queen because it allows you the chance to represent the fair and to really get to know all of those involved with the fair.

"It gets you more skills, like speech skills, there's just a lot to do around the fair and stuff, it's a great opportunity to get to know, not just friends and family but the whole fair, people who are in it, you get to talk to new people everyday with the judges, there's at the rodeo, the rodeo stock contractors, you get to talk to them, it's a wonderful thing to do."

Princess Keara added being in the position has helped her learn to communicate with others better. She admitted it brought her out of her shell and taught her poise and grace with public speaking.

"I'm a very, I'll go hide in the corner kind of person, I don't like crowds, I don't like talking a lot. But royalty has really brought me out of that. I give speeches now. I was announcing competitions, handing out ribbons, taking pictures, you're so involved with everything at fair you don't realize everything at fair, until you're in it all."

Keara loves the comradery around the royalty family, she has had wonderful experiences with royalty from other counties. It's really like a family.

So, about the hair, we had to know, how do you keep those curls through fair, through a rodeo grand entrance, through the evening. A big laugh followed. We know why, we think.

"When it's hot and humid and sweaty, curls don't last!" Keara laughed. Shali added, "I think I had like four people curling my hair and it came out in like 20 minutes. Yeah."

In addition to preparing themselves for fair events and rodeos, the horse must also be ready. We asked, who gets ready first, you or the horse. Both girls laughed a little when they agreed that it's impossible to get all the way ready when you're bathing a brushing a horse so it's done with careful thought. There's really no one way to do it but both agreed, that horse will usually come first.

Both the Queen and the Princess participate in rodeo events but to be the Bent County Fair Queen or Princess it's not a requirement.

Age requirements are a Queen candidate must be between 16-21 years of age and be in school in Bent County. Home-schooled students are welcome to try out. The Bent County Princess must be between 9 and 15 years and the Tiny Tot Princess, between 6 and 8 years old.

Packets can be picked up at the Bent County Fair Extension office on the Bent County Fairgrounds in Las Animas and must be returned by June 27th.

Tryouts on July 13th will consist of an interview on a topic assigned to the candidate, modeling, and horsemanship. Candidates must have a horse or have use of a horse during their year as Bent County Royalty.

Royalty will be expected to make public appearances during the fair and year. They are expected to keep their hats, crown, sashes and attire clean and cared for. If under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must attend all events and serve as chaperone and a signed commitment will be required.

More questions can be directed to Leann Ridley at 719-431-0221.

###

A supportive family is important. (Pictured below, Keara's parents, Deandra and Jarrod Sharp, and Kali's dad, Cory Cook.)

~Anne Boswell, anneboswell@coloradonewsyourway.com