The Great Northern Exhibition is looking for its next ambassador.
The tradition of crowning a fair ambassador is as old as the GNE itself. Though it started as more of a pageant and was limited to women as the title was Queen of the GNE, it has always been a search for the person who would best represent the fair, local agriculture and rural life in the Georgian Triangle.
Now the competition has opened up to include a junior level for kids in Grades 6-8 and the senior level remains for young adults aged 18 to 23 years old as of August 2019. The competition is open to men and women competitors and the “crown” can be a shiny tiara or a cowboy hat.
Melissa Ferguson, a former junior and senior ambassador competition winner, is this year’s contest chairperson, and she’s looking for more entrants. While the first deadline has passed, she’s extended the entry date to Monday, Sept. 17.
“It’s a great way to give back to the community,” said Ferguson. “You are often known as the face of the fair, as he or she is the person people spot as they walk through the fair exhibits. You talk to a whole lot of people through the year, and it’s a great way to put a face to the event and also to encourage young people to be involved in agriculture.”
The ambassadors of the GNE are selected on Friday evening, Sept. 21, and they are put to work for the remainder of the fair, giving out award winners and making the occasional speech at a fair event. Through the rest of the year, the ambassador attends any event where the GNE might have a presence, they will ride the float in various community parades, attend fundraisers and spread the word about the GNE and how people can be involved.
During the competition, contestants deliver a short speech (2-3 minutes for juniors and 4-5 minutes for seniors) on a topic that falls within one of three subjects: rural life, agriculture, or the fair.
All contestants are given cash and other prizes.
To sign up for the competition, send an email to Melissa Ferguson here, or call her at 705-331-7554.
The GNE runs Sept. 21-23 this year. Buy tickets online here.
