Pair of Borgers compete to be crowned first queen

Though they both had the same last name, the two girls participating in the first West End Fair queen contest were not related.

Krista Borger took home the crown Sunday afternoon and will be known as the first-ever West End Fair queen, while Mackenzie Borger is the runner-up. Both girls are 17, live in Kunkletown and go to Pleasant Valley High School.

And both are very active in the fair, and both grandfathers are directors of the fair. Krista said the fair is all about tradition, but also trying to pull in new things each year. The queen contest was that new thing this year.

She said she decided to run for queen in hopes of winning the $500 scholarship to put toward her college education. She added she hopes she can be a role model for younger kids.

Mackenzie said the fair has a lot to offer and is a chance for people to give back to community organizations, like churches and fire departments, by buying food at their stands.

Julie Weiss, chairwoman of the queen contest, said it took two years to get the contest organized. She said the fair didn’t want to do it last year and rush through it. The fair also got judging help from other county fairs, such as Carbon County.

“We’re excited. We had two great girls, and the scores were very close,” Weiss said.

This week Krista will be handing out awards after judging, saying hello to fair-goers and being a general ambassador for the fair. Throughout the year, she will also help to promote the West End Fair by wearing her sash in parades or at other community events, Weiss said.

Proceeds from a dunk tank near the arena area will go toward the scholarship fund and to help the queen go to the Pennsylvania Farm Show in January to compete in the statewide contest, though Weiss said she isn’t sure if Krista will compete in the contest.

The girls had to prepare a speech and write an essay on what the fair meant to her community and go through a personal interview with a panel of three judges. Judging criteria was based on conversational ability, the answers to the questions, appearance, poise, presence, activities, interview conduct and knowledge of the fair industry.

The girls also had to prepare a speech to give at the fair on why the public should come.

Weiss said the fair will be crowning a queen next year and said girls that live in Monroe County spanning ages 16 to 20 can enter. More information will be on the fair's website in March, she said.