Katie Fry crowned Miss Putnam County 2023

Seated on her throne Saturday night is Miss Putnam County Fair Queen 2023 Katie Fry. She is joined in the court by (from left) Fourth Runner-up Andrea Nees, Third Runner-up Boston Clark, Second Runner-up Olivia Richardville and First Runner-up and Miss Congeniality Brinlee Clark.

Courtesy photo/KRISTIN OSBORN PHOTOGRAPHY

Her hands came to her face in shock as the summer’s crescendo reached its peak: “Miss Putnam County 2023 is... Katie Fry!” A roar of applause, a bouquet of flowers and loving cheers from the audience made for a warm welcome into royalty.

Even after the lights came up and the crowd dispersed on Saturday night, Fry, 2023 Miss Putnam County, welcomed a long line of attendees waiting for a picture.

“It kind of feels unreal. I can’t believe it honestly, but I’m so grateful. It was such a great group of girls,” Fry said after the conclusion of not only Saturday’s show, but also the months of preparation leading up to the final competition.

It may look glamorous, but the competition is not easy. The judges’ decisions are weighed in five different categories. An interview with the judges completes 45 percent of the overall score, the professional-wear category 15 percent, evening gown 25 percent, the judge meal 10 percent and the impromptu word five percent.

“Each one of these ladies is the true embodiment of what a Fair Queen should be, and I don’t envy the judges this evening one bit,” 2022 Miss Putnam County Handley Everman said in her farewell speech. “They have all stepped out of their comfort zone in one way or another and took each challenge with grace and dignity.”

During the evening gown competition, the contestants were moving gracefully about the stage while the Master of Ceremonies, Jeff Rich, read their profiles. For Fry, 4-H’er of 10 years, her favorite memory was her and her sister winning supreme showmanship in consecutive years, and her hero is her father, Dan, “because he is always willing to help those around her and taught her how to work hard.”

She joined the contest to act as a role model for young 4-H members and to show them confidence that can be instilled within. It was also announced that her favorite quote reads “let the one who created you be the one who defines you,” and she hopes to work for an agricultural company and continue raising livestock after she completes an actuarial science degree at Ball State.

With a busy fair week ahead as a 4-H’er and Fair Queen, Fry has a lot to prepare for. But from one 4-H Queen to another, “don’t take any moment for granted, because this is an opportunity of a lifetime that only lasts a short 365 days,” Everman said. “There will be several points where you will feel like you are in a constant state of motion, and you will have a million things to do and 1,000 places to be, but you are never too busy to give a little girl a plastic tiara and and a hug because after all, you may be talking to a future Miss Putnam County.”

Fry will be representing Putnam County at the Miss Indiana State Fair Queen program this January with other competitors across the state, but her goals remain local: “I just want to affect as many people as I can and do as much as I possibly can.”

In her court sits:

- First runner-up and Miss Congeniality Brinlee Clark, daughter of Jason and Amy Clark and sponsored by RE/MAX cornerstone - Chris Harcourt,

- Second runner-up Olivia Richardville, daughter of Cory Richardville and Mandy Nelson and sponsored by Myers’ Market,

- Third runner-up Boston Clark, daughter of Jason and Amy Clark sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America,

- Fourth runner-up Andrea Nees, daughter of Michael and Jamie Nees and sponsored by the Cloverdale Agri-Center.