MANSFIELD—With the 2023 Richland County Fair week comes the new King and queen.

In a field of seven queen contestants and two kings, Sara Smith and Micah Miller walked away with the coveted titles of Richland County Fair Queen and King, respectively.

Smith, a 16-year-old from Shelby High School and a member of Shelby FFA and Roaming Rovers 4-H club, exhibits both rabbits and market turkeys at the fair.

Smith said that she ran because she wanted to be a great role model for the kids in the county and at the fair, both of which she greatly loves.

Winning queen was a little extra special for Smith as her mother was a previous fair queen, and she was thrilled to be able to do the same.

“My mom did it so I wanted to carry on the tradition. It gives you this sense of pride, you represent your county and it’s a big role to take on,” Smith said.

When it comes to fair week and things to come see, Smith said she highly recommends any of the grandstand events – especially the rodeo on Wednesday night – and all of the livestock shows.

This week, Smith is looking forward to passing out ribbons to all of the champion animals and encourages everyone to come out and see them. A schedule is online listing dates and times.

Smith said she’d like to thank her parents and everyone who supported her on her journey to becoming fair queen.

Micah Miller, a 17-year-old who will be going into his senior year at Shelby High School, a member of Shelby and the Rusty Riders 4-H club, has taken a rope project and shows a beef steer.

Miller said he ran for King because he saw the opportunity to change himself as a human for the better, and he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and win King.

“My father ran for King and he kind of encouraged me – it’s cool, two generations winning King. I definitely liked seeing him smile when I won, that was something that just like made me smile, so being able to do that was really great,” Miller said.

Like Smith, Miller is looking forward to all of the grandstand events, but just being able to talk to the younger boys and encourage them to run for King as only two ran this year.

Miller thanked his father, family, and cousin Kelsey for encouraging him to run for King.

Contestants
Vanna Burns
Deborah Crouch – Queen 1st runner up
Sofia Johnson – Queen 2nd runner up
Nataleigh Lykins
Micah Miller – King
Carson Secrisky – King 1st runner up
Sara Smith – queen
Kelsey Snyder
Sarah Turner