Madison Moore named Cy Young Days Festival queen and talent show winner
Members of the 2023 Cy Young Days Festival court visited the vintage base ball game at Cy Young Park on Sunday. Pictured are Allyn Hart, front left, Creed Moore, Luka Lawson, Peyton McGarvey, Kellie Miller, Arianna Parks; back row, Sophie Sellers, Alliyah Moore and Madison Moore.
It was a big weekend for Madison Moore, 14, of Newcomerstown. She was named queen of the 2023 Cy Young Days Festival, and she also won first place in the 17 and under portion of the festival’s talent show for her tap dance to the song “Shivers” by Ed Sheeran. Moore has been taking dance lessons for about 10 years.
Concerning serving as queen, Moore said, “I’m looking forward to making a bunch of kids happy because that was my whole purpose of running.” She wants to encourage others to run for a title and in the process gain confidence and feel better about themselves.
In the future Moore would like to go to school to be a radiology technician. She also said she enjoys promoting Newcomerstown and the Cy Young Days Festival.
“My favorite thing is just all the people, really, because all the people are very nice. And we always pull together and create great ideas for our town,” Moore said.
Moore, the daughter of Gene and Crystina Moore, served as the festival’s junior queen last year. Her younger sister Alliyah, 12, and brother Creed, 8, have been members of the court and were named this year to new posts. Alliyah now serves as the 2023 junior queen, and Creed serves as the 2023 junior king.
Other members of the court announced at this year’s festival are Mini Queen Peyton McGarvey, 10, of Newcomerstown; Sophia Sellers, 10, of Coshocton, mini queen first attendant; Allyn Hart, 9, of Newcomerstown, mini queen second attendant; Arianna Parks, 9, of New Philadelphia, mini queen third attendant; Princess Kellie Miller, 6, of Newcomerstown; Morgan Miller, 7, of Cambridge, princess first attendant; Little Slugger Luka Lawson, 7, of Coshocton; and the first Little Miss Cy Young is Madison Miller, 4, of Cambridge.
Kay Dennis, 82, of Newcomerstown was named the second Cy Young Days Festival senior queen.
“I was nominated and selected. It was a total surprise,” Dennis said, adding she is looking forward to the next year.
Dennis has been a resident of Newcomerstown since 1958. Prior to that, she grew up in Port Washington. Dennis formerly worked for the Newcomerstown News writing human interest stories, taking school photos and even taking ads. She also worked at the former Baltimore Clothing store as a seamstress and on the store’s sales floor. Later, she worked as a home health aide.
Over the years Dennis has been a member of the bicentennial committee, The Olde Main Street Museum and ARTSNCT, and she sings in the choir and plays handbells for the Methodist Church in Newcomerstown.
Following the annual Cy Young Days Festival vintage base ball game, many on the court participated in the annual talent show on the Canal Street stage.
In the adult competition, first place and $100 went to Belle Fockler of Dover, who sang “Stupid with Love” from “Mean Girls” the musical. Madison Rehard, 21, won second place and $50 for her vocal performance of “Never Enough” from “The Greatest Showman.”
In the 17 and under competition, first place and $50 went to Madison Moore for her tap routine. Ella Lawson, 11, took second place and $25 for her a cappella version of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and Madison Miller, 4, won third place and $10 for her dance routine to “Can’t Stop the Feeling.”
Other participants included Lana Lawson in the adult category singing an a cappella version of “Someone Like You,” and other children participating included Oona Lawson, who sang while twirling a hula hoop; Morgan Miller, who demonstrated sign language; Allyn Hart, who sang “My Lighthouse;” Sophia Sellers, who did a dance routine; Peyton McGarvey, who demonstrated a gymnastics move she made up herself; Luka Lawson, who demonstrated his basketball dribbling skills; and Alliyah Moore, who did a baton routine.
Judges for the talent show were Amanda Wilson, Hayley Murray and Janet Chaney, all of Newcomerstown.