HOEFLICH@MYDAILYSENTINEL.COM

POMEROY – Despite dark clouds and occasional sprinkles of rain Sunday evening the Meigs County Fair kicked off as scheduled with an opening ceremony followed by the 4-H parade and the crowning of royalty before a grandstand filled with parents and friends.

Shannon Michael Brown of Racine, a member of the Jolly Ranchers 4-H Club was named king and Kayte Lawrence of Long Bottom, a member of the Pioneers 4-H Club, was crowned queen for the 2011 Meigs County Fair. Crowning the new queen and presenting her flowers was the 2010 queen Olivia Davis. Runner-up in the competition for queen was Ashley Putman of Coolville.

Princes to reign at fair animal shows were Caden Goss for poultry, Jacob Jordan for swine, and Matthew Brown, Jr. for rabbits. Named princesses were Mikayla VanMatre for lambs, Jenna Jordan for swine, Abigail Houser for rabbits, LeDeana Sinclair for horses, Jessica Cook for dairy and Mattison Finlaw for poultry.

Winning entries in the parade, listed first through third, were: walking units, Pioneer 4-H Club, Bleedin’ Green, and Klassy Klovers; horses, Rough Riders, Silver Spurs, and Jolly Ranchers; and floats, Hands and hearts, 4-Fun 4-H, and Lakeside Leaders.

Given special recognition and presented roses during the opening program as Alyssa Holter, the Junior Fair coordinator.