Published: July 26, 2009 11:06 pm      

Mineral County Fair opens today

Five in running for queen title

FORT ASHBY, W.Va. — Five young ladies representing Keyser and Frankfort high schools will compete Monday for the title of Mineral County Fair queen when the 60th annual event opens at the fairgrounds in Fort Ashby.

Contestants from Frankfort High are Taylor Cook, Ashley Kady and Amanda Pratt. Keyser High contestants include Janell Price and Matraca Shirley.

Cook was a member of the Frankfort soccer and tennis teams and also participated in the concert and marching bands.

Her community activities included working with the Healthy Souls West Virginia program and Habitat for Humanity.

She is the daughter of Jeff and Susan Cook of Keyser.

Kady was a member of the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and Distributive Education Clubs of America.

She also participated in the concert, jazz and marching bands at Frankfort and also served as the marching band’s drum major for one year.

Kady was also a member of the soccer and track teams and served as the soccer team captain.

She is a member of First Baptist Church and is the daughter of John and Nancy Kady.

Pratt was a member of Frankfort’s marching, jazz and concert bands and was president of the National Honor Society. She was a member of Mu Alpha Theta and served as a Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership ambassador. She also attended the Governor’s School for Math and Science.

Community activities included Calvary Assembly of God Youth Group and AmeriCorps Energy Express mentor.

She is the daughter of William and Brenda Pratt of Fort Ashby.

Keyser contestant Price, the daughter of Denise Harper and Eric Price, attends Calvary Assembly of God Church and is an employee of Keyser Dairy Queen.

Shirley participated on the Keyser High basketball, volleyball and track teams and also was in the marching band. She was a member of the Health Occupations Students of America and also participated in the Key Club, Keyser Krazies, ACES, ski club and Hi-Y.

Shirley, the daughter of Donald and Jacqueline Shirley of Keyser, is a member of Keyser Church of the Brethren and is a 10-year member of Limestone Vanguard 4-H Club. She also served as a Special Olympics helper and was a member of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls.

The queen pageant begins at 7 p.m. Admission to the fair is free on Monday with gates opening at 6 p.m.

Short Gap native Charlie Kenney will take the fair stage at 6 p.m.

Gambill Amusements rides will open on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Senior citizens age 62 and older will be able to attend each night for half off the $10 pay-one-price fee that includes gate admission, all rides, entertainment and parking.

Advance sale season tickets are on sale through 5 p.m. today. Tickets can be purchased for $30 at the Mineral County Extension Office, Key-ser; M&T Bank, Fort Ashby; FNB Bank, Fort Ashby; BB&T Bank, Fort Ashby; and the Mineral County Fair Office.

The fair is sponsored by the Fort Ashby Volunteer Fire Company.

For additional information, contact the fair office at (304) 298-3712.