Wisselgren and Miller named 2024 fair king and queen
The 2024 Tuscarawas County Fair royalty are Morgan Miller and Jacob Wisselgren.
Jacob Wisselgren and Morgan Miller were named 2024 fair king and queen at prefair activities on Sunday, Sept. 15 at the 174th Tuscarawas County Fair.
Wisselgren and Miller were crowned by outgoing 2023 fair royalty Jonathon Domer and Brianna Burdette.
Wisselgren, 17, of Strasburg is the son of Zack and Amanda Wisselgren. He is a senior at Buckeye Career Center and has been involved in 4-H for 10 years. He is a member of the Brandywine 4-H Club.
“This is an opportunity I will not take lightly, and I will represent Tuscarawas County with pride,” Wisselgren said.
Miller, 18, of New Philadelphia is the daughter of John and Marcia Miller. She is a recent graduate of Garaway High School and a 12-year member of the Stone Creek Peas and Carrots 4-H Club.
“I actually want to thank the senior fair board and junior fair board for putting on the fair that you guys are going to have this week,” Miller said. “But I really want to thank my family and my fellow friends for encouraging me to do this this year. I can't wait to spend the rest of the week at the fair.”
Miller also was surprised later in the evening when she was presented with the Sandy Wardell Award, which has been given every year since 1983 to a 4-H member who exhibits exceptional leadership.
“This year's recipient is truly an outstanding member. One of her peers recently noted she is everywhere, and she does it all. When given a task, she does it. She does it right, and she often comes back to us with ideas of how we can do it better and more efficiently,” Chris Kendle said. “She is also hard working and dedicated, often giving up her time and talents. She has just been an incredible kid to work with over the years.”
Other royalty contestants were Maggie Hamilton, 17, of Bolivar; Jenna Horn, 19, of New Philadelphia; Kylee Mutti, 17, of Stone Creek; Norah Randolph, 16, of New Philadelphia; Celeste Rummell, 18, of Tuscarawas; and William “Drew” Long, 16, of Newcomerstown.
“Every year I say that this is always hard for the judges, but this year it was unbelievably hard. They were so impressed with this group of kids,” said Wendy Vogel, organizer of the royalty competition.
In honor of the 30th year of fair royalty, many past Tuscarawas County Fair kings and queens returned for the event and were introduced at the beginning of the ceremony.
Wooden clocks featuring the logo of the Tuscarawas County Fair were auctioned to support the fair. Greg Kimble was the winner of the No. 1 clock with a bid of $2,500. Other winners were Chris and Nikki Rufenacht, No. 2, $1,000; Tim and Celina Coolman, No. 3, $800; Wolfe’s Landscaping, No. 4, $500; Brian and Debbie Gerber, No. 5, $600; Scott and Jennifer Swaldo, No. 6, $600; Scott Family Farms, No. 7, $1,000; Chet and Jen Randolph family, No. 8, $800; Kendle Farms, No. 9, $650; and Barr’s General Construction, No. 10, $700.
The No. 11 clock, which supports the fair royalty program, was purchased by Leslie and Dylan Seats for $1,150.
Four veterans were honored during the Quilts of Valor presentation.
“The quilts we present today were sewn by our local 4-H members and volunteers,” said Chris Kendle, the coordinator of the program since 2018. “They are an expression of gratitude meant to thank you and bring you comfort. We honor you for leaving all you hold dear to serve, whether in time of crisis or in time of peace. This quilt you receive unequivocally says thank you for your service, sacrifice and valor in serving our nation.”
The 2024 honorees were as follows:
—Robert “Bob” Baker of Dover. He served as a member of the United States Army in the Army Security Agency at Fort Devon, Massachusetts. He later served in Vietnam, where one of his jobs was to decode Morris Code. Baker’s quilt was made by the Country Clovers 4-H Club.
—Michael Graham received a quilt made by the Town and Country 4-H Club. Graham completed basic Army training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and AIT training in Texas. He was a field medic and served in a medivac unit. Because he was able to type, he helped in supply typing soldiers' orders, keeping supplies filled and other duties. He also was called back into service a second time and served at the Brooke Army Medical Center.
—Kenneth Krese joined the United States Army in 1983. After completing basic training and AIT and combat engineer training, he served in the 24th mechanized infantry division under Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf in Georgia. He achieved the rank of specialist E4. Krese received a quilt made by the Above and Beyond 4-H Club.
“The Create Day quilt is sewn by 4-H members participating in our annual Create with 4-H Day activities,” Kendle said. “Our tradition is to present this quilt to an active or former 4-H adviser who served our country.”
Dan Donato, a 20-year member of the junior fair dairy committee, received the Create Day quilt. Donato enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1986 and was assigned to the 1485 Transportation Company in Dover. The company was later activated to serve in Operation Desert Shield. He hauled tanks, armored personnel carriers and bombs.
Scholarship award winners also were announced Sunday night. Winning the Doug Wills Scholarship were Jenna Horn and Gemma Dotts. There were five 4-H Scholarship award winners. They were Horn, Dotts, Laura Weaver, Emma Davis and Kimber Fillman.
Jim Rowe, president of the Farm Bureau, also made a presentation of a new bench in memory of the late agricultural society board member Doug Wills. Wills' wife Barb attended the presentation.
More activities are on tap at the Tuscarawas County Fair through Sept. 22. Visit www.tusccountyfairgrounds.com.