Hello, my name is Katy Ankrom and I am the 2002 Miss Pumpkin Show Queen. Being an ambassador of the Pumpkin Show for the past year has been an awesome privilege and honor. My court and I have traveled to many festivals in Ohio to promote the Pumpkin Show.

First of all, I want to thank God, for He has blessed me with this wonderful opportunity of meeting new people and making lifelong friends. It has been a great growing experience for me.

Circleville High School deserves a huge thank you for nominating me to represent the school. I appreciated all the encouragement and help I received from my friends to get me prepared for the big night of the judging. Also, thanks to the teachers for their enthusiastic support as well.

This experience wouldn't have been so much fun if it weren't for my court, First Attendant Brooke Thompson and Second Attendant Brooke King. Thanks for making our time together so enjoyable and fun. I had a blast and I could not have chosen two better people to spend the summer with.

Linda Ballou is a wonderful lady who I can not thank enough. None of this would be possible without her dedication and effort. She drove countless miles to take us to festivals all over the state of Ohio. It has been great getting to know her.

I'd like to thank the people who made 'Queen for a Day' possible. Brooke T., Brooke K and I literally were treated like royalty all around Pumpkin Show. Thank you Bruce Rickerd for the pictures and Jim Parker and his committee for escorting us around to various Pumpkin Show booths for free food and goodies.

I want to thank all the merchants of Circleville who donated the queen's gift package: Block's Shoes, Porter's Car Wash, Sharff's, Maggie and Me, Christopher's don Boutique, Bruce List Photography, Rhonda's Hair Gallery, Especially for You, Renee's Custom Interior Design and the Circleville/Pickaway Chamber of Commerce. Thank you all very much for your generous and thoughtful gifts.

Circleville Sunrise Rotary deserves to be thanked for sponsoring the Miss Pumpkin Show contest. The wonderful Pumpkin Show float was sponsored by the Circleville Savings Bank, and they also are worthy of a thank you. Also, thank you so much to the Circleville Pumpkin Show committee for the hard work it takes to prepare for this event; without you it wouldnıt be possible.

I'd like to thank my family: Mom, Dad, Sean and Ben, for all their continuous support and encouragement throughout this whole year. You came to my festivals no matter how far the distance. I knew I could always count on seeing your friendly faces in a crowd full of strangers. Grandma and Grandpa, I loved seeing you at the parades also. Thank you to my aunts, Betsy, Joyce and Patty, for helping me prepare for the judging on Wednesday night of Pumpkin Show. I could not have done it without your coaching and endless support.

I'd like to wish best of luck to this year's Miss Pumpkin Show candidates. You're going to have so much fun! Enjoy every moment, itıs your time to shine.

Unfortunately, my reign is coming to an end, but I have had an awesome time during this experience. Iıve made many memories I will never forget and friendships that will last a lifetime. And after traveling to many festivals all over Ohio, it's great to be back at 'The Greatest Free Show on Earth!'

Thank you and God bless.