From alpacas to roosters, competition is fierce for the

2005 Archived News

Will it be Angus the Cat, Cecil the Patagonian Cavy or a "yet to be named" miniature baby donkey that wins the crown and title of official mascot for the 2005 King County Fair?

Eleven animal finalists for the King County Critter Crowning contest were announced Wednesday and according to Sharon Roberts, manager of the King County Fair, entries came in at stampede pace this year.

"We had a super turn out this year with about 20 entries," Roberts said. "Our animal contestants will now be judged by a distinguished panel at the Grand Opening Ceremonies of the King County Fair on July 20. All our finalists were selected on their ability to best exemplify the spirit of the King County Fair."

The finalists and their critters will compete in person for the grand prize at the King County Fairgrounds in Enumclaw at 12:30 p.m. on July 20. The theme for the 2005 fair, which runs July 20-24, is "Good, clean, fun."

The Royal Critter will be invited along with his or her owner to visit the King County Fair as a special guest of the King County Parks Division.

Congratulations 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 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.

Royal Critter Hall of Fame

1974 Sheeba the Goat
1975 Henrietta the Goose
1976 Plum the Cow
1977 Julie the Hen
1978 Synthia the Swine
1979 Strawberry the Lamb
1980 Lila the Lamb
1981 Sarah the Goat
1982 Elizabeth the Polish Hen
1983 Candy Babe the Horse
1984 Katrina the Calf
1985 Eli the Donkey
1986 Gomer the Basset Hound
1987 Wishbone the Turkey
1988 Saki the Llama
1989 Becky the Cow
1990 Khyber the Cat
1991 Grumpy the Potbellied Pig
1992 Bruno the Llama & Kelsey the Dog
1993-1997 No Royal Critter crowned
1998 Munchado the Llama
1999 Buttercup the Rhode Island Red Chicken
2000 Hannah the Miniature Southdown Sheep
2001 Anna the Holstein
2002 Dulce De Leche, The Nubian Goat
2003 Jeffrey, The Romney Sheep
2004 Charlie, The Alpaca

The King County Fair is the oldest county fair west of the Mississippi. It will kick off this year on Wednesday, July 20 and continues through July 24.

You'll find a master schedule and plenty of details about the 2005 King County Fair by visiting the fair Web site at "www.metrokc.gov/parks/fair/". For more information, please call the King County Fairgrounds at 206-296-8888.