Passing the Crown: Teaghan Bair Reflects on Her Year as Centre County Grange Fair Queen

CENTRE HALL — As the Centre County Grange Fair celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, Teaghan Bair, the 2023 fair queen, reflected on her Grange Fair journey before passing off the crown and setting the stage for another year of tradition and community spirit.

Bair, a Centre Hall native, has been attending the fair her entire life with her family. Her older sister participated in the Grange Fair Queen Program, which Bair noted was an inspiration in her run for fair queen.

“The fair has always been a special place to me, but my interest in the Fair Queen Program came through following along and watching my oldest sister as she walked the grounds as a fair queen herself,” Bair recalled. “Every moment I was free, you could find me following right behind her — soaking in a new side of the fair I had never seen before. After that year, I knew I had to be a part of this, and I promised her queen coordinators that I would run for Grange Fair queen one day.”

The fair queen each year has the opportunity to interact with the public, talk about the fair and talk about Centre County’s agricultural industry. Bair explained that one of her main roles as a fair queen was to not only represent the fair but to promote agriculture and help residents understand their connection to the agricultural industry.

“A majority of our fairgoers come to the fair for the food, entertainment and fun,” Bair remarked. “What they don’t realize is that they are surrounded by agriculture through all of our seven thousand exhibits, the very food they eat and even the products they may purchase. I have the unique opportunity of reaching those who are uninformed and help them learn about the importance agriculture plays in their life using the Grange Fair as a great example.”

Bair also noted that the program gives young women the opportunity to learn valuable skills that will last them a lifetime. The Grange Fair Queen Program also offers scholarship opportunities to encourage the pursuit of further education and a chance to work with the individuals behind the scenes of the Centre County tradition.

“Through my experience as queen, I have grown immensely in my public speaking abilities, agricultural knowledge and overall people skills. Not only has it allowed for personal growth, but this role has given me a greater appreciation for all of our fair committee and volunteers,” Bair said.

During the process, fair queen contestants fill out an application with an essay about the meaning of the fair to the community. On coronation day, the young women in a sea of evening gowns participate in a luncheon before going through the formal interview process.

At the formal interview, the fair queen candidates are judged by a panel of out-of-county judges on their personal introduction, a speech on why people should come to the fair and answer to an impromptu question. These aspects of the Grange Fair Queen Program are where Bair said she learned some of the most.

“As I prepared for all of these daunting tasks, my biggest goal was to soak in as much information as I could. I did my best to learn about our fair history, Pennsylvania’s agricultural industry and any other information that would help me to better represent the fair,” Bair noted.

Additionally, her time in the Fair Queen Program left Bair with countless unforgettable memories that took place all year round. The people she’s engaged with and met have been one of her favorite parts of being the 2023 fair queen.

“Whether it was a little girl smiling and pointing at my crown or a fifth-generation tenter relaxing on their porch, I loved talking to them all,” Bair exclaimed. “When I made my first announcement as queen, I said I wanted to meet as many people as I could, and I was so happy to be greeted by numerous fairgoers who heard me and helped me further my goal. The connections and friendships I have made throughout this year as queen are ones that will stick with me forever.”

Although the people were an exceptional highlight to her experience, Bair explained that her favorite parts of the fair can actually be summed up in the first couple of sentences from her speech in 2023.

“Spending all my quarters at Skee-Ball, drinking Sunset milkshakes, walking through the cattle barns, devouring Deflurri’s Pizza and meeting back at Uncle’s tent. This is my family’s nightly ritual at the Centre County Grange Fair,” she said, referencing her speech.

“The fair is a family tradition for so many, each with their own unique traditions at our home away from home,” Bair also noted.

Penny Valley Area High School graduate Kryslynn Ronk, of Spring Mills, was crowned the 2024 Centre County Grange Fair queen on Wednesday evening. The crowning of the 20th fair queen coincides with the 150th anniversary of the Grange Fair taking place from Friday, Aug. 16, through Saturday, Aug. 24.

As Grange Fair queen, Ronk will also enter the State Fair Queen Contest in January 2025.

“My advice to upcoming queen contestants is to soak up every moment of the experience,” Bair said prior to Wednesday's event. “No matter if you get the title of queen or queen ambassador, you all have such an important role in proudly representing our fair. Make the most out of this time and, most importantly, have fun.”

While Bair has spent the last year serving as the Grange Fair queen, she noted that she’s excited to see what comes next as the traditions around the Centre County Grange Fair continue to grow.

“I will be giving my title of queen up before the fair, but I am looking forward to seeing the next girl have this amazing experience,” Bair remarked. “Although this fair week will look different for me as I will be back to just plain old me, I am excited to experience all of the festivities of the 150th anniversary with my family and make many more new memories together.”

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