Who will rule the King County Fair?

Critter Crowning finalists to compete Wednesday, July 20

2005 Archived News

Okay, critter finalists, start practicing your curtsey or bow. The Critter Crowning, a decades-long and beloved tradition on the Enumclaw Plateau, is set next Wednesday, July 20, at 12:30 p.m. and officially opens the 2005 King County Fair.

King County Executive Ron Sims will crown the Royal Critter as the official mascot of the 2005 King County Fair. Members of the King County Council will determine which of the 11 animal contestants best embodies the spirit of the King County Fair and possesses royal critter stage presence and personality. A Patagonian Cavy, a miniature donkey, a rooster and a lop-eared rabbit are just a sampling of the animals vying to replace 2004 winner Charlie the Alpaca for top Critter honors this year.

The Critter Crowning ceremony has been part of the King County Fair as far back as anyone can remember, and the fair itself dates to 1862. The fair has kept records of previous Royal Critters since 1974. The Royal Critter and his or her owner win prizes and are special guests of the King County Fair.

The theme for the 2005 fair, which runs July 20-24 at the King County Fairgrounds in Enumclaw, is "Good Clean Fun."

Good Luck to this year's 2005 Royal Critter Contest finalists:

• Cecil, the Patagonian Mara/Cavy and owner Tyler Thomas of Issaquah.
• Kelvin's Some Chex the Quarter Horse and owner Bethany Freeburg of Enumclaw.
• Holly the Holland Lop (rabbit) and owner Kirsten Petersen of Newcastle.
• Reggie the Alpaca and owner Benjamin Kuehn of Sammamish.
• Laddie the Collie and owner Jessika Martin of Auburn.
• Winston the Shetland the Sheep Dog and Morgan Nagy of Auburn.
• Angus the Cat and owner Jordan Gormley of Kent.
• Phoenix the Rooster and owner Sondra Edwards of Enumclaw.
• Uke the Cat and owner Audrey Farber of Bellevue
• Prince William the Finnish Spitz (dog) and owner Anna Molosky of Issaquah.
• Cheri Dwyer of Enumclaw and her unnamed baby miniature donkey.

Join Blitz on Friday, July 22 from 10 a.m. - noon for the King County Mascot Day! Dress like your favorite team mascot and get in free.

The 143rd annual fair is the oldest traditional fairs west of the Mississippi. Along with a root beer float garden, and a logger’s competition, the 2005 Fair will include top musical entertainment such as The Beatniks, the Space Needles, Jonathan Harris, and the Cylas Blues Band. Also don’t forget to check out the daily performance of stories and musical games by Alleyoop, baby animals; carnival rides; farm displays, exciting demonstrations; fresh hot scones, fabulous foods, and much more.

For more information about the King County Fair or the Critter Crowning Contest click on the link below: http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/fair/.