Miller, Capozella reign over 2018 Tuscarawas County Fair
Carlo Capozella and Makayla Miller will reign over the 2018 Tuscarawas County Fair.
Makayla Miller and Carlo Capozella will reign as queen and king of the 2018 Tuscarawas County Fair. The announcement was made by Gary Petricola prior to fair week on Sunday, Sept. 16 at the main show arena. Petricola has served as master of ceremonies for the event for 24 years.
Miller, 18, of New Philadelphia is the daughter of John and Marcia Miller. She is a member of the Stone Creek Peas and Carrots 4-H club and attends Walsh University. Miller credited 4-H for making her who she is today.
Capozella, 17, of Dover is the son of Dan and Jill Capozella. He is a member of the Town & Country 4-H club and attends Dover High School. He wanted to serve as king because he loves the energy and the excitement of the fair.
Other contestants, parents, clubs and schools were Mikayla Horn, 18, of New Philadelphia, daughter of Jerry, Jr and Melissa Horn, Town & Country 4-H club, Ashland University; Mackenzie Hursey, 19, of Newcomerstown, daughter of Kip and Marjorie Hursey, Buckhorn Tribe 4-H club, Kent State University Tuscarawas; Chelsea Grove, 17, of Gnadenhutten, a daughter of Scott and Jennifer Grove, Happy Homesteaders 4-H club, Indian Valley High School; Megan Murphy, 16, of Mineral City, daughter of Don Murphy and Carla Hammel, Heartlanders 4-H club, Tusky Valley High School; Vidalia Porter, 16, of Strasburg, daughter of Charles and Mandy Porter, Happy Harvesters 4-H club, Strasburg High School; and Maggie Miller, 17, of Port Washington, daughter of Mike and Emily Miller, Angel Valley Rosebuds and Ramblers 4-H club, Indian Valley High School.
The Sandy Wardell Memorial Outstanding Junior Leadership award was presented to Justin Scott of the Stone Creek Peas and Carrots 4-H club.
The annual 4-H Committee scholarship awards were presented to Lauren Rennicker, Justin Scott and Brock Horn.
The 2018 plate features a black and white photograph taken by fair board director Jacque Peters from the back of the lead vehicle during a harness race at last year’s fair and was designed by Greg Scott. The plate includes the dates of the fair and that it is the 168th anniversary of the fair.
The number-one plate was purchased this year for $500 by Tango & Gatti Inc. Last year the number-one plate went for $400.
Other winning bidders were number-two plate at $400 by Dr. Chismar and family, number-three plate at $350 by Brett Hillyer for state representative, number-four plate at $300 by Mark and Jamie Beaber of Beitzel Meats, number-five plate at $350 by Chet and Jen Randolph family, number-six plate at $275 by Amanda Fowler, number-seven plate at $300 by Cronebaugh Auction, number-eight plate at $250 by Courtney Spillman and Ken Guspyt, number-nine plate at $225 by Chase Allen, and number-10 plate at $275 by Jen Cox.
The number-11 plate, which supports the Fair Royalty program, went for $825 to Tango & Gatti Inc.
“We did the poultry pavilion, and we wanted to give back,” Josh Carlisle of Tango & Gatti said.
The company has supported the livestock auctions in the past. This is their first year to purchase a plate, and they bought two. The remaining plates will be for sale at the fair board office.
The most touching moment of the evening was just prior to the sale of the number-11 plate. Four veterans were honored as part of the Quilts of Valor Under Our Wings program. The program began in 2003 as a grassroots effort. A quilter named Catherine Roberts had the idea of comforting veterans with quilts while her son was serving in Iraq.
“The goal of the Under Our Wings program is to inspire youth to give back to their communities while fostering citizenship,” Chris Kendle of the OSU Extension Office said.
The Town and Country 4-H club presented their quilt to Merv Marshall, a former member of the Navy who served in Vietnam and was awarded the Purple Heart.
The Above and Beyond 4-H club presented a quilt to Richard Parsons, a former member of the Navy who served during Operation Enduring Freedom and the Gulf War. He also served in the Reserves from 1980-2002. He is the grandfather of two of the club’s members, Jace Smith and Kayleigh Irwin.
The 4-H Hares presented their quilt to Trey Perkowski, a Marine Corp veteran who served in Afghanistan in 2011 during Operation Enduring Freedom. He served from 2008-13 and during that time was a crew chief on a KC-130J.
The final quilt presented was made by participants in the 4-H Create Day event held in March. It was given to Dean Brown, an advisor for the New Cumberland Hotshots 4-H club. Brown is a Marine Corp veteran who served in Vietnam and later in the Reserves.
“Tonight we hope to bring them honor and comfort. Though we may never know the depth of their sacrifice to protect and defend the United States of America, as a gesture of gratitude from a grateful nation, we thank you,” Kendle said as those in the audience rose to give the veterans a standing ovation.
Awards also were presented to companion animal, miscellaneous and FCS project winners after the plate auction.
Fair activities continue through Sunday, Sept. 23. For more information visit www.tusccountyfairgrounds.com.