Who will be queen of the Kitsap County Fair & Stampede?

It takes more than a pretty face and a spoonful of charm to wear the crown of Miss Kitsap Fair & Stampede. It takes sweat, time, trials, long drives to far-off rodeos and a good horse just for starters.

But that hasn’t deterred five young women from taking on the challenge of vying for the coveted crown and a shot at Miss Rodeo Washington.

All of their preparation is on display today and tonight starting with a display of horse riding prowess in the 4-H Arena at the Fairgrounds. The contest continues indoors in the President’s Hall at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6 and the public judging of the ladies’ appearance, personality, speech, modeling and interviews. Tickets are available at the door for $10.

This year’s numbers are up with five compared to a mere two contestants in 2004 when current Queen April Brunzie won her crown.

This year’s crop of contestants are:

 Aschlee Jean Drescher, 17, of Port Orchard, a senior at South Kitsap High School. Her parents are Betty Jean and Dallas Drescher.

 Athena Hodges, 16, of Port Orchard, a junior at North Kitsap High School. Her parents are Pamela and Robert Hodges.

 Chere Horn, 17, of Port Orchard, a sophomore at South Kitsap High School. Her parents are Carol and Howard Horn.

 Danielle Nugent, 17, of Seabeck, a senior at Central Kitsap High School. Her parents are Lorrie and Richard Nugent.

 Tessa Yeaman, 18, of Poulsbo, a senior at Bainbridge High School. Her parents are Debbie and Bill Yeaman.

Also during tonight’s competition, long-time royalty volunteers Lorraine Sarver and Coleta Corey are being honored for their years of work not only with the Kitsap Fair & Stampede’s competition, but also at the state and national levels.

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