Thirty-one young women between 16 and 21 want to become Miss Ripley County 2008 and reign over the Ripley County 4-H Fair July 19-26.

That’s a record-setting number for the milestone 50th pageant (www.ripleycountyqueen.com), which is open to the public and starts at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 11, at the Batesville High School auditorium.

Organizers hope the new, larger venue will be packed. “We always like the girls to have a lot of support from family, friends and the community,” says Mary Beth Hackman, Holton, who is co-chairing the event with Becky Harmeyer, Napoleon.

What can attendees expect to see? “The girls will have a fun and exciting opening to the pageant that includes the Mardi Gras theme,” reports Hackman.

Master of ceremonies Brian Buchanan will introduce candidates wearing business outfits. A video will look back over 50 years of pageants. “All the former Miss Ripley County queens have been invited to attend,” says Erin Menchhofer, Osgood, a 10-year 4-H member who was the pageant chairperson from 2004-07.

Committee members are compiling a database about past queens and what they are up to now. Persons with addresses or information may contact Menchhofer at 812-498-2150 or erin@ripleycountyqueen.com.

Then it’s time for formal attire and thinking on their feet. Harmeyer says, “I think their biggest concerns are always the (onstage) questions. They get nervous they’re going to mess up. If they can speak from their hearts, I think they will do good.”

In between appearances by the competitors, the audience will be introduced to special guests who include past royals and current sponsors. Miss Ripley County 2007 will be honored during the judges’ deliberation and also share experiences from her reign.

“The very first queen of Ripley County, Letisha (Gookins) Burill, is coming in from Oklahoma to crown the new queen,” Harmeyer reports.

She describes the contestants as “very fun and intelligent. It’s going to be a hard decision for these (three out-of-town) judges. They are very polite, old-fashioned girls.”

Admission is $5 for ages 11 and over. Children 10 and under are free. Reserved-seat tickets can be purchased from contestants and BHS FFA members or that night, when doors open at 5:30.

Proceeds benefit the Queen Scholarship Fund and FFA. This year, thanks to so many contributions already from businesses, organizations and individuals, each court member (first, second, third and fourth runner-ups and Miss Congeniality) will receive a $100 scholarship and the queen will get at least $1,000 for future studies.

“With the economy and recent flooding, the food banks and Salvation Army are struggling to meet the needs of the community,” Menchhofer points out. Nonperishable food items may be donated at the entry of the pageant. Penny Wars also will help area food pantries. Attendees are encouraged to drop coins and dollars in the jars of their favorite contestants. The young woman with the most money at the end will be named People's Choice winner. All money and food donations will be divided among area food banks.

The pageant committee is seasoned. Members planned the Queen's Tea, fourth annual Queen Bee Slumber Party and four-hour pageant rehearsal, plus prepared the entrants for interviews with the judges that take place before the big night.

In addition to Hacker, Becky Harmeyer and Menchhofer, other members are Miss Ripley County 2007 Elizabeth Record and Lowell Somers, Batesville; Amanda and Kayla Harmeyer, Napoleon; Monica Hansen, Osgood; Jessica Geisler and Randa Combs, Versailles; Megan Krall, Indianapolis; and Penny Moore, Naples, Fla. (formerly Madison).

Organizers believe the pageant is an important tradition. “These young women are great role models for the younger generations, not only during their year of service, but as they grow older,” Menchhofer points out. “It has been a joy to watch each young girl come up to the queen and glow with excitement as she tried on the sparkly crown or had her picture taken with the court.”

Harmeyer likes to think of the 2008 queen as “an ambassador for Ripley County ... all of these girls have the potential of being that great girl.”

Debbie Blank can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 113; or debbie.blank@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com.