GALLIPOLIS — “This is unreal,” Brittany Burnett murmured as it was announced she had been chosen 2009 Miss Gallia County, the reigning queen of the 60th annual Gallia County Junior Fair.

The selection came Monday at the conclusion of the annual fair queen pageant on the main stage of the fairgrounds, where Burnett and 12 other young women were in contention for the crown worn for the last time by 2008 Queen Carissa Gilmore.

Up until then, Burnett, daughter of Tom and Tonia Burnett and a 2009 graduate of Gallia Academy High School, said her day had been less than perfect, missing makeup and a single shoe for her outfit being among the misfortunes she said had plagued her throughout the day. But becoming this year’s fair queen made all of that go away.

Burnett is president of the Gallia Guys & Gals 4-H Club and has been involved with the Junior Fair Board, Show Choir, choir, cheerleading, the Ohio Energy Team, broadcasting and student council.

Among other many other activities, she has made singing a speciality, having performed at numerous benefits as well as volunteering at Holzer and Adena medical centers. Burnett will attend Capital University this fall, majoring in vocal performance and music.

During the pageant, she was asked by master of ceremonies Bob Hood about her opinion of what is the best means of keeping youth off drugs and alcohol.

Joining an extracurricular activity or two and staying involved with them was her answer.

Her selection as queen was also noted as a first in Gallia County fair history. She is the first Miss Gallia County who was also a Little Miss Gallia County, in 1997.

The new queen’s court will consist of Megan Daines, first runner-up; Kayla Smith, second runner-up; Ashley Miller, third runner-up; and Melissa Stump, fourth runner-up and Miss Congeniality. For the latter honor, Stump was the recipient of the 2009 Miss Congeniality Award from the Gallipolis Kiwanis Club.

Daines was also the winner of the 2009 Commumity Service Award from the Gallipolis Jr. Women’s Club, with both presentations made on the stage during the pageant.

Other contestants for the queen’s title — the largest field of candidates in recent years — included Carli Wallenfelsz, Amy Meeks, Kaci Shoemaker, Rachel Merry (daughter of 1986 Miss Gallia County Tina Silvers Merry), Lauren Swisher, Molly Moore, Emily Hammond and Janelle Parsons.

In 2008, Daines was second runner-up and Shoemaker third runner-up for queen, with Ashley Miller’s sister Amber first runner-up for the title. In addition, Burnett was 2008’s Livestock Queen.

The pageant committee that organized the event consisted of Bryna Butler, Beth Covey and Rochelle Halley, with support from many local businesses.

In remarks to the audience, outgoing Queen Carissa Gilmore offered thanks to numerous businesses and individuals — not the least of which, her family — for making the past year one of the most special in her life.

“To the candidates, good luck,” she said. “I truly believe any one of you will make an amazing Miss Gallia County.

“Enjoy the rest of the fair and God bless you,” Gilmore added.

As queen, Burnett, like her predecessors, will represent Gallia County at fairs and other events, along with her court. More immediately, she will also attend the various shows and programs making up the fair this week, culminating in the livestock sales on Friday and Saturday.