The Elbert County Fair Royalty recently hosted a Queen’s Clinic for young women interested in pursuing a royalty title — particularly for those interested in an Elbert County Fair title.
Twenty young ladies between the ages of 8 and 18 attended this year’s clinic on April 20 at the Elbert County Fairgrounds. The exhibit hall at the fairgrounds was bustling with participants and their families. The event included lunch and a Western clothing sale.
As Zanna Fewer, president of the Elbert County Fair Royalty Foundation, explained: “Fair Royalty benefits the community through community education about agriculture and the Western way of life, volunteerism and creating a sense of community around the Elbert County Fair and the members of FFA and 4-H and community members that participate in the Elbert County Fair.”
The competition for royalty titles will take place on June 1 at the Elbert County Fairgrounds. Judges score entrants based on a personal interview, a speech, modeling, impromptu questions and a written test, all of which were covered in the Queen’s Clinic.
“These are all crucial skills to representing the Elbert County Fair in public settings,” Fewer said, “such as rodeos, National Western Stock Show, community events, i.e. parades and Christmas tree lightings, the Chamber of Commerce Gala, etc.”
Josie Oliver, one young participant in the clinic, said she was surprised by all the requirements to become royalty. “You have to give an interview, wear a certain type of hat and boots and be willing to give a speech,” she said. Oliver said it did sound fun to award ribbons at the county fair.
The clinic was led by three women with royalty backgrounds: Paige Petrocco, Cassidy Esposito and Victoria Hazen.
Petrocco, a 22-year-old from Loveland, came to teach about public speaking and interview skills. She was the 2019 and 2020 Larimer County Fair and Rodeo Queen and was a finalist at the 2024 Miss Rodeo Colorado Pageant. She is currently the Colorado Media Ambassador for The Foundation for Western Professionals and also works full-time as a dude wrangler.
Esposito is a 23-year-old from Parker who helped participants develop their interview skills. Esposito serves as the vice chair of sponsorship for the Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo and has served in multiple rodeo queen roles, including the 2016 Douglas County Fair and Rodeo Princess and the Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo Queen and Attendant in 2017 and 2018.
Hazen, an Elbert County native, has more than over 15 years of experience in skin care and makeup artistry and came to teach about glamor and personal appearance. Hazen is the co-owner of Bijou Buckers Mini Bulls and a member of Elbert County Cowbells. Hazen’s bio for the clinic notes that she “loves supporting other women in the Western and ag industries and helping to promote the involvement of women in that space.”
Title winners benefit from self-development workshops, public speaking engagements and opportunities for networking. They are also awarded scholarships and have the chance to partner with sponsors for products or services related to the royalty program and fair.
Fewer said she has “seen young women emerge from their year of royalty as more confident, well-spoken and with experience in planning events, budgeting, job skills and so much more. We know that these young women will move on to other leadership roles within royalty or other organizations.”
Ashley Baller, once a part of the Elbert County Fair Royalty program, went on to become Ms. Rodeo Colorado and made the top five runners-up for Ms. Rodeo America. “She is just one example of all that our young women can accomplish,” Fewer added.
The Elbert County Fair and Royalty is a tradition that has been a part of this community since 1957. Information about current Elbert County Fair Royalty can be found at elbertcountyfair.com/royalty.html. The 2024 Elbert County Fair, with information available at elbertcountyfair.com, will take place from July 27 through Aug. 4.