PORT ANGELES — For the second year, all of the candidates for 2014 Clallam County Fair queen are Sequim residents.
This year’s candidates are Hannah Gauthun, 17, Hannah Fritz, 17, and Mia Steben, 16.
One will be crowned queen Saturday at the 2 p.m. Princess Tea and Coronation in the Clallam County Fairgrounds Home Arts Building, 1608 W. 16th St.
Tickets to the crowning are $3 at the door.
The queen will receive a $500 scholarship, and each princess will get a $400 scholarship.
Tea guests are urged to dress as their favorite princess or fairy.
A silent auction will include Disney Princess items, and photo opportunities with the royal court and with fairy tale friends will be available.
About the candidates:
Hannah Gauthun
Gauthun, sponsored by Gauthun Chiropractic, is a Sequim High School junior who also attends Peninsula College as a member of the Running Start program.
“I am running for [fair royalty] because I would love to represent my county fair, and it’s an amazing way to serve my community. Plus I have always wanted to be royalty since I was a kid, and this gives me the opportunity to do so,” Gunthan said.
She is the daughter of David Gauthun and Teri Grendahl-Gauthun of Sequim.
She is involved at Sequim High School in varsity soccer and tennis and is on the trap shoot team.
She has participated at the Clallam County Fair as a 4-H member in Rascals in the dairy project and currently is a FFA member in the swine and beef program.
During the fair, when not serving in her capacity as fair queen, Gauthun said she can be found in the cow barn with her steer.
Her favorite parts of the fair are the food, the animals and the rodeo.
“I love good food, animals and cowboys — my honest answer. The scones are the ultimate classic food at the county fair,” she said.
Gauthun said she plans to attend a four-year college for pre-med to study dermatology.
Hannah Fritz
Fritz, sponsored by Happy Feet Specialty Foot Care, is a high school junior in the Worldview Academy homeschool program.
She is the daughter of Bill and Lori Fritz of Sequim.
“I would like to promote Clallam County and get a ton of people to come to the fair to see what we have to offer,” Fritz said.
She has participated at the Clallam County Fair as a 4-H member in Pure Country with projects in poultry, quilting, sewing and art, and is also active in theatre, debate and the Northwinds Homeschool Band.
“I have always loved Family Day at the fair. Looking at the animals, especially the cats, eating fair food and playing make it a great environment for families,” she said.
Fritz said her favorite part of the fair is the Home Arts barn, where community creativity is on display, as well as the fair’s food offerings.
“I absolutely love funnel cake and get it every year,” she said.
Fritz plans to attend Peninsula College, then transfer to a four-year college as a political science major.
Mia Steben
Steben, sponsored by Everlasting Hardwood Floors Inc., is a high school sophomore in the Worldview Academy homeschool program and a newcomer to Clallam County.
She is the daughter of Terry and Kristi Steben of Sequim.
“I wanted to run for Clallam County Fair royalty because of its involvement in the county. Royalty opened new experiences and opportunities for me, whether through community service or by meeting new individuals in this area.” Steben said.
She has participated in open classes at Jefferson County Fair but is new to the Clallam County Fair, after moving to Sequim in late 2013.
“Because I moved here three months ago, I do not have any favorite fair memories from the Clallam Fair; however, I am excited to make some,” Steben said.
Her entire experience will be one of discovery, from visiting the livestock barns, to trying fair food, she said.
Steben is co-owner of an Alaska commercial fishing set net operating in Bristol Bay and said she plans to attend Peninsula College and transfer to the University of Washington to study business.
Royal duties
Fair royalty, in the performance of their duties, clock in 250-300 hours of community service per calendar year.
Court members attend parades in Clallam and surrounding counties, and participate in community service projects such as the Petco Pet Food Drive, Sequim Food Bank, Port Angeles Relay for Life, SEF Film Festival and Sequim Noon Rotary.
They are available for community events and service/community groups around Clallam County upon request.
Individuals and businesses interested in scheduling, sponsoring or donating to the fair royalty program can phone Christine Paulsen at 360-461-1866.
The queen and her court will reign over the 2014 Clallam County Fair on Aug. 14-17. This year’s theme is “Race Ewe to the Fair.”
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsula
dailynews.com.
