PORT CLINTON – It was a star-spangled affair at the annual Firecracker Cutie contest at Trinity United Methodist Church on Thursday afternoon.
A new crop of cuties, princesses, kings and queens, all donned in red, white and blue, were crowned after a pageant in the church’s sanctuary, as is the tradition for Port Clinton’s annual Fourth of July activities.
For Findlay residents Alyssa Patterson and family, entering her 6-month old son, Rowan, in the contest seemed like something fun to do on the holiday up at the lake. She saw the competition online and joined friends and family to spend the day in Port Clinton.
Rowan, donned in red shorts, suspenders and a star-studded shirt, smiled for family members in the pews in between contestants. He recently got his first tooth, his biography read.
He took overall winner for the ages 0-2 category.
First-ever Elite Supreme Queen
Kinslee Bowen, 11, a student starting middle school at Port Clinton in the fall, was named the first-ever Elite Supreme Queen.
She is no stranger to royalty, as she was Firecracker royalty last year and has participated in pageants since she was little.
“Winning and getting a big crown was my favorite part,” Kinslee said.
Kinslee excitedly took photos with the other reigning champions, as well as with the event’s Emcee Miss Buckeye State Kalli Gregory.
The 2024 Port Clinton Firecracker Court includes:
● First ever Elite Supreme Queen – Kinslee Bowen
● Grand Supreme Queen – Miley Anne Smith
● Grand Supreme Jr. Queen – Jasmyne Silverwood
● Grand Supreme King – Charles Tingley-Cook
● Grand Supreme Princess – Laken Cramer
● Grand Supreme Mini Princess – Olivia Gonzalez
● Grand Supreme Mini Queen – Gracelyn Love
Commissioners, senior sources scoop out ice cream
On their way out of the door, contestants and their families could pick up ice cream at the Ice Cream Social hosted by the Ottawa County commissioners and Ottawa County Senior Resources.
Commissioners Don Douglas and Mark Stahl were scooping up cups of ice cream for eager attendees on a warm summer day.
The ice cream social is a hit every year and brings 200 to 300 people into the church for a sweet treat, new Senior Resources Director Kim Haddix said. They go through about six three-gallon tubs of vanilla ice cream each year, she said.
Senior Resources Kim Sedlak said the event has been annually happening since 2013 and all proceeds from donations will go towards the Fourth of July fireworks for the next year. The ice cream social is sponsored by Neidecker, Crosser and Priesman Funeral Homes.
Judged before the contest, the Most Photogenic contest had submitters turn in their best patriotic head shots. Each winner got a small crown and a framed award for their win.
Top Most Photogenic winners were: Best Smil, Gracelyn Love; Mega Supreme, Sophia Labay; Elite Supreme, Quinn Ivy Cook; and Grand Supreme, Gracelyn Love.
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