4-H contests begin next Tuesday, July 24, and fair competitions and events will continue through Sunday, July 29.

Roll will be kept busy with everything from riding in the parade to handing out ribbons to 4-H and FFA kids. She will also be hosting other county fair queens, sponsors and family at the annual Queen’s Luncheon on Saturday.

Fairgoers will be able to see Lucy, Roll’s horse that she’ll use for her 4-H horse project and for the grand entry at the rodeo.

Joining Roll as fair royalty is Fair Princess Josilyn Lutze.

Roll said she’s excited about fair because it’s fun seeing everyone’s projects and especially the smiles on their faces when they hear their name announced and receive their ribbons.

She encourages people to check out the Thursday night entertainment, July 26, for the Westernaires, a mounted precision drill team made up of kids of all ages. “They’re awesome,” said Roll, noting how incredible their stunts were when she saw them at the Stock Show.

Joining them Thursday are Rawhide and Dusty, a man and horse combo entertaining with trick roping and daring acts on horseback.

Another new event, said Roll, is the ATV races at the tough truck competition on Saturday, July 28.

Although Roll’s reign as fair queen began at the Haxtun Corn Festival last fall, her duties are just gearing up. Phillips County Fair is the first on her list of many fairs where she will represent the county in parades and at queen’s luncheons.

She’s also been busy doing volunteer work, gaining sponsorships and appearing at events like the CJRA rodeo in Holyoke and the Jake’s Feed grand opening celebration.

It’s a lot of hard work, she said, but it’s very rewarding. Pam Haynes, the queen coordinator for Phillips County, has been helping her out throughout the year.

Roll is a 2012 graduate of Holyoke High School and the daughter of Jeff and Laura Roll. This fall she’ll be heading to NJC in Sterling to study equine management and biology.

The fair queen is looking forward to fair and hopes to see the county out there in full force! She wishes everyone good luck in all they do at the Phillips County Fair!

Holyoke Enterprise July 19, 2012