By KATRINA SEYMOUR
The Herald

A warm wind greeted 191 first-grade girls attired in ruffle finery who vived for the title Little Miss Pumpkin Show in a contest Wednesday afternoon. The turnout was the largest in Pumpkin Show history.

The winner would represent the Pumpkin Show and Circleville at festivals all over the state. Thirty-two wiggly girls from the initial group waited for the second round. Then just eight were left.

Finally, the announcement was made.
Little Miss Emily Renee Smith was crowned along with the first attendant Kaitlin Nicole Jones and Second Attendant Jennifer Helton. Whoops of joy from the audience nearly drowned the pronouncement.

Smith is the daughter of Dale and Renne (Spiller) Bragenzer of Circleville. Her mother said she was very surprised when her daughter was crowned, especially when her sister was named second attendant four years ago.

"Isn't that unbelievable?" she said through tears.

First attendant Jones is the daughter of Brad and Tammy Jones of Laurelville. "Oh my God, I'm in shock," her mother exclaimed.

Helton named second attendant, is the daughter of Shari and Swain Helton of Commercial Point. "I can't believe it, all them girls - I'm so proud of her," her mother said.

Smith was sponsored by Bragenzer Construction, Jones by the Village Cafe and Helton by Scioto Elementary School.

"It's fun. I'm glad," Smith said about her new title. She said she likes pumpkin, but hasn't had a chance to taste any Pumpkin Show treats, yet.

Jones said her favorite Pumpkin Show ride is "the one that goes up and down and up and down." Then she remembered the name, "the merry-go-round." She wanted some cotton candy before beginning her reign at the evening parade.

Pumpkin cake is Helton's favorite Pumpkin Show treat, she said. She said she felt happy and nervous when her name was announced.

Judges for this year's contest were Kellie Wargo of Limited Too in Columbus; Bobbi Daily, promotions director for B-94 radio in Chillicothe and Mindy Ferguson, operations manager for WYPC, WCJO, and WKOU in Jackson. Maria Melvin took the girls' photos for the fourth straight year.

Still, Melvin said she can't predict the winner of this contest.

"I'm always wrong," she said, "it's really a lot of fun and I enjoy doing it." Pictures of the Little Miss contestants are on display in the window of her shop on West Main Street.

The 1995 court was on hand to pass down their crowns. Little Miss Katie Elaine Hupp said the Fourth of July parade in Ashville is her best memory from the past year. First attendant Lea Jones and second attendant Kendra Hudson agreed.

Hudson said she would never forget Ashville for a different reason, through. "It was tough because I got lost," she said. "And then it was just like that - we found our way back."

Hupp and Hudson, in their closing remarks to the crowd gathered at the West Main Street stage, said being crowned on stage last year was the best thing that happened to them as Pumpkin Show Royalty. Jones agreed, but added, "I got ten dollars," much to the delight of the audience.

Other contestants seem to have a good time without the crown. They stood when they could sit and waved frentically to their friends on stage and family in the audience.

"I think it's exciting. Yeah, I like it," Miranda Rose Blankenship, 7 said while waiting for the second round. "Did I win yet?" she asked.

Alicia Nicholas, 6, said she helped pick out the white lace gloves she wore for the contest. She said she thinks The Pumpkin Show is better than school. No contest.

The Little Miss Pumpkin Show contest is sponsored by the Circleville Jaycees. Jay Elsea was chairman this year.