Georgetown Fair Queen: Practice makes perfect

On Saturday, July 14th we traveled to Danville, Illinois, to do the contestant headshots for the 2012 Georgetown Fair Queen Pageant.  Now that we've got pictures of the contestants you can look forward to seeing them soon in the local newspaper, but until then keep reading Josh and Joe Travels to follow along with the young women competing to be the next Georgetown Fair Queen.

When we visited with the contestants on Saturday, they had gathered on the campus of Danville Community College to turn in paperwork, be photographed, and practice interview and modeling skills.  Each contestant got a chance to mock interview with fair board members and volunteers who know what it takes to be successful as fair queen.  This practice is just one in a schedule that helps get everyone prepared to really shine on stage during the pageant in August.

Next week contestants will do another mock interview in Georgetown and have the chance to visit the Edgar County Fair Queen Pageant with Georgetown directors Karen Thornsbrough and Jill Pope and 2011 Miss Georgetown Fair Alexandria Hannan.  Before they get to the mock interviews they will start learning the opening number for the pageant.  We got a sneak peak of just how cool this year's opening number will be and we can't wait to see it on stage in front of a packed grandstand.

Georgetown Fair Queen: Portraits of 2011 Queen Alexandria Hannan

Back in May we spent a really fun day with 2011 Georgetown Fair Queen Alexandria Hannan and her directors, and now that many of you have seen Alex's camo portraits we thought we post a few more.  We actually met up with Queen Alex in the morning in downtown Danville for a quick shoot.  From there we went to lunch and then on to an appearance where Queen Alex was judging the D102 Mother Daughter Contest at the Danville mall.

After the appearance we went to Forest Glen Preserve which is one of Alex's favorite places for a few more pictures.  It was a marathon day of photography for us - we even had to stop at Walmart to buy more AA lithium batteries for our speedlites - but it was definitely worth it and we had lots of fun.  During the shoot we worked our new Lastolite Ezybox pretty hard, which came in especially handy for an unplanned stop in an old theater and when Joe had to boom a light on a monopod over a creek at Forest Glen.  We were proud to give Queen Alex a framed print of one of the shots from Forest Glen, and some of you might have seen it on display at the Queen's Tea and Contestant Orientation.

During her year the Georgetown Fair Queen makes dozens of appearances and has lots of exciting adventures.  We can't wait to see who Alex crowns as the 2012 Georgetown Fair Queen in August!

Georgetown Fair Queen: 2012 Queen's Tea and Contestant Orientation

The race toward crowning the 2012 Georgetown Fair Queen started on Sunday, July 8th at the Georgetown fairgrounds when the doors opened for the Queen's Tea.  Held annually in July, the Georgetown Queen's Tea is an informational meeting and orientation for prospective contestants, and this year about 30 young women showed up to find out how to fill out paperwork and get ready for the August fair queen pageant.

For the next month the contestants will attend practices, rehearsals and mock interviews so they will be at their best when they hit the stage for the 2012 Miss Georgetown Fair Queen Pageant.  2011 Queen Alexandria Hannan has spent the past year representing the Georgetown Fair and she will crown the next queen at the conclusion of the 2012 pageant to be held the evening of August 6th at the grandstand.

During the Queen's Tea Alex gets to talk about some of the highlights of her year and she shows off her pictures and memorabilia from her year.  Next directors Karen Thornsbrough and Jill Pope go through the contestant paperwork and schedule information so everyone knows what to expect for the next month.  Still got questions?  Contestants were in good hands with former fair queens Brandi Thornsbrough, Chelsea Tarquini and Danielle Sacre all on hand to share insights from the experience representing the Georgetown Fair.

Our next trip to Georgetown will be to do the contestant headshots, so be looking in the local newspaper closer to the pageant to meet all the contestants.  And keep checking Josh and Joe Travels to keep up with the contestants as they prepare for the 2012 Miss Georgetown Fair Queen Pageant!

Georgetown Fair Queen: Alexandria Hannan at the Oakwood July 4th Parade

On Wednesday, July 4th we went out to Oakwood, Illinois, to photograph Miss Georgetown Fair 2011 Alexandria Hannan as she rode in the Oakwood Independence Day Parade.  Queen Alex will ride in several parades during the summer to promote the Georgetown Fair and the Georgetown Fair Queen Pageant.

Think you've got what it takes to do Alex's job?  Be sure to join us on Sunday, July 8th at the Georgetown fairgrounds for the Queen's Tea, which is the contestant information and orientation session for the 2012 Georgetown Queen Pageant.  Directors Karen Thornsbrough and Jill Pope will be on hand to answer all your questions and give you a hint of all the exciting things they have planned for this year's pageant.  Look for Karen and Jill on Facebook or get their contact info on the official Georgetown Fair Queen website.  See you there!