Teenage Queen
Throughout The United States community festivals are important social events that carry on historical, religious and cultural information. Over time, the primary purpose of these festivals shift, though the name and historical references stay in tact. There are many of these in rural Southeastern Ohio; Parade of the Hills festival in Nelsonville, Wellston Coal Festival and Jackson County Apple Festival to name a few. For some towns these can be the most profitable weekends of the year. Each festival has a "royal court" whose role is to draw attention to their communities´ festival. Being a member of a court, whether the Queen or Little Miss Sunshine means traveling around to all the other festivals nearby and presenting your festival to that community. The time, money and effort put forth by the court and their parents is substantial. Some girls participate in about 35 festivals during the season.
The pageant culture of small town festivals is not the beauty pageant scripted or portrayed on television; it isn´t strict American beauty ideals on display. This is an all–inclusive culture. To be certain, it is full of make–up, hairpieces and sparkly dresses yes, but the girls I met were of all body–types, shapes, and sizes. These young women are more than beauty queens; some did get involved as babies, but for many, it is something else to do and just as important as their school sports teams and other activities. Some are attracted by the college scholarships offered. One mother explained that it´s just something else to keep her daughter busy and away from drugs because there is not much for young people in this rural community.
Jordan Smith, Courtney Hockenberry, Ashley Brooks, Sammie Myers, and Kristen Mitchell (from left) are collectively the Coal festival court from Wellston, Ohio. The girls relax before the Moonshine Festival parade begins in New Straitsville, Ohio.
Erica Strasbough examines herself in the mirror while gets ready for the Wild Turkey Festival at home in Jacksonville, Ohio. Her mother, Sherry Bail, waits in the background. Erica has been competing in beauty competitions since she was a baby.
A sign above the Chauncey Middle School cafeteria door announces the "Hollywood" theme of this year’s Chauncey-Dover spring festival luncheon. The town of Chauncey is located in southern Ohio’s Athens County, the poorest county in the state.
Stormy Nulf, 15, gets ready in the bathroom of the Chauncey Elementary School on her last day of being the Chauncey-Dover second attendant.
Egg salad, ham salad, chicken salad and tuna salad sandwiches are served at the Wild Turkey Festival luncheon in McArthur, Ohio.
Erica Strasbough steps outside during the Wild Turkey Festival luncheon in McArthur, Ohio. In Ohio it is legal to carry a concealed weapon with the proper permit, except in municipal buildings or schools. The gun symbol on the door of the firehouse where the Wild Turkey Festival luncheon was held warns carriers that concealed weapons are not allowed inside.
Stormy Nulf and Erica Strasbough (from left) chat during the Wild Turkey Festival luncheon in McArthur, Ohio.
Raven Kyle, queen of the Old Settlers festival, attends the Chauncey-Dover spring festival luncheon.
Destiny Rutter and Stormy Nulf, announce door prize winners at the end of the Chauncey-Dover Spring Festival luncheon.
Stormy Nulf, 15 waits to be taken to the Chauncey Dover Spring Festival parade on her last day of being the Chauncey-Dover second attendant.
Sami Jean Woody wears a belt buckle she had made when she was 2006/2007 Miss Old Settlers. She has just finished highschool and is now inelligible to participate in the contest. She is planning now for her wedding. New Straitsville, Ohio.
