GALLIPOLIS - From a field of just over 60 contestants, Riley Sanders was chosen 2007's Little Miss Gallia County while Cory Cox will serve as Little Mr. Gallia County.

The two were selected following judging in the annual contest sponsored by the Gallipolis Lions Club at the Gallia County Junior Fair on Monday.

Sanders, the daughter of Nathan and April Sanders, succeeds 2006 Little Miss Carly Gilmore, while Cox, son of Shawn and Tonya Cox, accepted the crown from last year's Little Mr., Brody Sauer.

Sanders was also the winner of this year's Little Miss Firecracker competition at the 42nd annual Gallipolis River Recreation Festival earlier this month.

The runnerup for Little Miss is Grace Martin, daughter of Rick and Leann Martin, while runnerup for Little Mr. was Zachary Long, son of Chad and Traci Long.

The competition drew 31 contestants for Little Miss and 30 for Little Mr., all of them briefly interviewed on the fair's Main Stage by the Lions' Jeff Fowler, who asked them varied questions about school, home and which household chores they liked least to do.

Judges for the competition were Lions District 13-J Gov. Elaine Newberry of Mount Orab and her husband Floyd, a past international director for the Lions, and Charles and Jay Newland of Leesburg. Charles Newland is a deputy district director for the Lions organization.

The Little Miss contest at the fair began in 1954, with Little Mr. started the following year. Gallipolis Lions have staged the contests since 1956.

Sponsors for this year's contest were Jeri Allie and That Special Touch, Melvin Biars and Floral Fashions, Tim Brumfield and Loan Central, Sparkle Supply and Burlile Oil.