DELAWARE COUNTY - Ella Taylor first competed in the Miss Delaware County pageant at the Delaware County Fair in 2017, and again in 2018. She has shown horses at the fair for more than 11 years prior, and saw the pageant as another way to be involved at the Delaware county Fair. Taylor left without the crown both years, but competed again in 2019.
Miss Delaware County is a two-part pageant; beginning with an interview about the fair done by the judges, and the evening gown category, where each contestant walks the stage in an evening gown. Taylor was crowned Miss Delaware County in 2019.
“I was beyond excited,” Taylor said of the achievement. “I felt so honored to hold that title and represent my county at the fair.” The rush of interviews and people wanting to speak with Taylor was “definitely overwhelming,” she said, but she learned to love every second of it.
Her one-year title suddenly turned into a three-year reign due to the Covid-19 pandemic. There was no Miss Delaware County pageant in 2020 or 2021, so Taylor fulfilled her duties for an additional two years. She distributed water bottles at the bicycle raffle, participated in the Heroes Parade, made appearances at the fairgrounds throughout the week, and presented trophies at the Monday and Friday demolition derbies. Taylor was able to present her cousin, Ryan Taylor, with a trophy to commemorate his heat win at the derby in 2021. “It was such a special memory,” Taylor said.
The Miss Delaware County pageant will be held this year at 1 p.m., Friday, Aug. 12 at the Delaware County fairgrounds. Girls aged 14-18 who reside in Delaware County are eligible to compete. The deadline to register is Aug. 10.
“A piece of advice I would like to leave for any girl wanting to do the pageant is go for it and enjoy the ride. Even if it doesn’t seem like something you would want to do, it’s not a bad thing to try something new because trust me, it will all be worth it.” Taylor said, “The Delaware County Fair is where endless memories are made and this will just be one more added to your story.”
Contact Christin Schmitz at 607-201-6333 to register and for more information.
