Miss Maple trio crowned at 131st Piscataquis Valley Fair
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Three girls will reign as Miss Maple in three respective age groups for the next year after being crowned during the fourth annual Miss Maple Pageant on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 25 at the 131st Piscataquis Valley Fair.
Eight-year-old Rhylee Waltman of Dexter earned top honors in the youngest “Mini Miss Maple” division, winning her age group for the second year in a row to hold onto the crown for another approximate 365 days. LaRae Richards, 9 of Kenduskeag, was the winner in the “Little Miss Maple class for entrants in the middle age group, and finishing first among the older girls to receive the title of “Miss Maple” was Julia Goldsmith, 10 of Dover-Foxcroft.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
MISS MAPLE CROWN HOLDERS — Three contestants earned first-place honors in their respective age categories during the fourth annual Miss Maple Pageant at the Piscataquis Valley Fair in Dover-Foxcroft on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 25. Standing at the front of the stage are the respective winners and runners-up, Eliza Chambers and Miss Maple Julia Goldsmith, Elliott Richardson and Little Miss Maple LaRae Richards and Mini Miss Maple Rhylee Waltman and Kaydance Benson.
Kaydance Benson, 8 of Dover-Foxcroft, was the Mini Miss Maple runner-up for a second straight year. Elliott Richardson, 8 of Dixfield, came in second among Little Miss Maple contestants and 12-year-old Eliza Chambers of Glenburn was the Miss Maple runner-up.
The three respective second-place finishers earned $25 apiece. The trio of Miss Maple age group winners each were presented $50 and a crown and sash.
The 2018 edition of the Miss Maple Pageant featured 12 girls taking part, who first introduced themselves gathered by the Bear’s Den Maine Stage dressed in their country wear.
Next up was the talent portion as the girls’ skills included singing, playing the piano, hula hooping, drawing and archery.
The pageant contestants were Kinsley Weymouth, 5 of Charleston; Autumn Rideout, 7 of Charleston; Benson; Richardson; Waltman; Molly Burton, 9 of Dover-Foxcroft; Angel Case, 9 of Dover-Foxcroft; Richards; Goldsmith; Gabby Jenkins, 11 of Garland; Chambers; and Brynn Perkins, 15 of Dover-Foxcroft.
The Miss Maple Pageant was sponsored by Bob’s Sugar House; Bear’s Den Restaurant, Motel and Tavern; RHC Carpentry; and Guilford Service Center.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
THERE SHE IS, MISS MAPLE — Twelve girls took part in the 2018 Miss Maple Pageant on Saturday morning at the 131st annual Piscataquis Valley Fair in Dover-Foxcroft. The contestants competed in three different age groups, introducing themselves to the audience in country wear, demonstrating a talent, and finishing the pageant in their dress-up attire.