Anthony crowned Little Potato Blossom Queen

   FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine – It was a festive atmosphere in Fort Fairfield July 16 as 11 girls competed for the title of 2007 Little Miss Maine Potato Blossom Queen.     Following the casual wear, talent and party dress competitions, judges awarded the title to Little Miss Bridgewater Molly Marie Anthony. The daughter of Susan and William Anthony, Molly performed a gymnastics/dance routine to “Start the Party Up.”
With the stage decorated with sombreros and cacti, the girls kicked off the pageant, which featured a Royal Fiesta theme, by dancing to the song “La Bamba.” Joined by 2006 Little Miss Maine Potato Blossom Queen Stephanie Winslow, the girls were dressed in black and red dresses and carried fans.
Others competing in the pageant included:
• Little Miss Fort Fairfield Hunter Elizabeth St. Pierre, daughter of Angela and Jonathan St. Pierre. She performed a tap dance routine to “Candy Man” for her talent. In addition to being named first runner-up, St. Pierre received the photogenic award.
• Little Miss Presque Isle Maddison Cleaves, daughter of Carli and Alan Cleaves Jr., danced to “Napoleon Dynamite” for her talent.
• Little Miss Limestone is Chelsey Violet Pelkey, daughter of Kristi and Jason Pelkey. For her talent, Pelkey performed a baton/tap dance routine to “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.”
• Little Miss Easton Breann Marie Clayton, daughter of Jodi Gagnon and Tony Clayton, sang “Colors of the Wind” for her talent.
• Little Miss Van Buren Kaila Roy, daughter of Laura C. and Cory Searles and Keith Roy, tap-danced to the song “Never Had a Friend Like Me” for her talent. Roy received the congeniality award.
• Little Miss Caribou is Ashley Taylor Matlock, daughter of Sharon and Ron Matlock. She performed a baton routine to “Locomotion” for her talent.
• Little Miss Mapleton is Lacy Marie Condon, daughter of Bobbi Jo and Troy Condon, and Richard and Tammy Getchell. An informative presentation on the presidents was Condon’s talent.
• Little Miss Caswell Bethany Hope Millette, daughter of Shelly Maki, sang “I Got Nerve” for her talent.
• Little Miss Madawaska is Raleigh Kaytlin Toussaint, daughter of Maria and Keith Toussaint. For her talent, she performed a jazz dance to the song “I Like to Move It.”
• Little Miss Mars Hill Kelsey Page Marie Dominique, daughter of Kassandra and Steve Dominique, clogged to the song “At the Hop” for her talent. Dominique was named second runner-up in the Little Miss pageant.
Also performing at the pageant were 2006 Junior Miss Maine Potato Queen Elizabeth Keaton, 2006 Maine Potato Queen Gabrielle Bowker, and 2006 Little Miss Maine Potato Queen Stephanie Winslow, who delivered an informative presentation on the solar system.
In relinquishing her title, Winslow said she had “a wonderful and exciting year filled with many opportunities.”
“Only days after being crowned, I attended the Industry Supper and met Gov. John Baldacci, Sen. Susan Collins and many other elected officials,” she said. “I also participated in the Potato Blossom Fun Day, performed at the County Bluegrass Festival, rode in the Antique Tractor Parade at the Northern Maine Fair, and attended the AMHC-Andy Santerre Ride, Maine Potato Board annual meeting and Agri-Business Trade Show.”
Noting “everyone loves a parade,” Winslow said her first parade as a potato queen was “a very special family event.”
“I rode with my cousin Katelyn Powers, Miss Maine Potato Queen 2005. My great uncle Victor Winslow provided the float including four of his antique tractors for us to ride on. Our float won the Best Theme Entry in the 2006 Potato Blossom Parade,” she said. “For the rest of the year, I rode with my sister potato queens on a float designed and hand built by my Dad and I. We traveled to a lot of parades near and far. Dad even took my float to the Big E in Springfield, Mass. for the Maine Days parade, where I shared my ride with queens from all over Maine.”
Winslow said she was very proud to represent the Maine potato industry during the last year.
“My family has farmed in the Mapleton area since 1858. I love to go to my grandfather’s farm to plant or harvest crops and tend the animals,” she said. “I am very thankful for the opportunity I have had to represent the Maine potato industry and the Fort Fairfield chamber this year.”
Mistress of Ceremonies for the pageant was Patti Crooks-Parsons.