First Attendant Lindsay Brennan
Queen Courtney Vickers
Second Attendant Brittant Lafuse
(From Left to Right)

Queen Courtney Vickers

By SHAUNA GOODHART
The Herald

When asked what she would change, if anything, about the Circleville Pumpkin Show, Courtney Vickers said nothing could change the city's trademark festival.

"Tradition is something you can never change," the Circleville High School junior candidate told judges during the Miss Pumpkin Show contest Wednesday night. "I do not believe you would ever be able to change the Greatest Free Show On Earth."

Minutes later, she was crowned as the 1999 Miss Pumpkin Show.

"This is a very exciting moment in my life," Vickers, daughter of Wayne and Debbie Vickers of Circleville, said soon after being crowned. "I am very proud of myself... I feel like my parents are proud of me for my accomplishments. I've worked so hard for this moment."

Her preparation efforts were extensive. She said she had her friends' parents ask her questions to practice her speaking skills. Also, she studied the history of Pumpkin Show and its attractions.

As the reigning queen, Vickers said she is anxious to travel the state representing the festival and the local community.

"(I'm looking forward to) telling people how wonderful the Greatest Free Show On Earth really is," she explained.

Selected as Vickers' attendants were first attendant Lindsay Brennan, Teays Valley High School senior, and second attendant Brittany Lafuse, Westfall High School junior.

Brennan, daughter of John and Birdie Brennan of Commercial Point, said the most exciting part of her evening was being on stage. Seeing her friends and the signs they had made for her was a memorable moment, she added.

"I couldn't believe it," she said of the excitement she felt when her name was announced.

As a member of the Pumpkin Show court, Brennan said she is looking forward to traveling to festivals throughout the state and getting to know Vickers and Lafuse. She said she has friends who are members of other festival royalty and she is also looking forward to traveling with them.

Lafuse, daughter of Jeffrey Lafuse of Mount Sterling and the late Brenda Lafuse, was appreciative of her friends and family's support throughout her candidacy.

"It's the most fantastic feeling," Lafuse said.

She said she is looking forward to riding in the parades and getting to know the other members of the court throughout her reign.

After each of the 12 contestants vying for the crown introduced themselves to the crowd, judges narrowed the group to seven contestants. Among those representatives were Dawn Ward, Amanda-Clearcreek senior; Andrea Hawkins, Circleville High School senior; Jessie Smith, Logan Elm High School senior; and Kristal Tharp, Zane Trace High School junior.

Vickers and her court will take their first royal ride together during the this afternoon's baby parade. Circleville's band will lead the parade tonight thanks to Vickers' victory.

The members of the court were presented a crown, banner, silver platter and a bouquet of flowers from the Circleville Sunrise Rotary, the sponsoring organization for the contest. Linda Ballou will be the chaperone for the court throughout the year.