It was just six months ago that Chloe Bomgardner was crowned the 2022 Lebanon Area Fair Queen. Now Bomgardner has another piece of hardware to put on her shelves.
Read More: A new reign: Chloe Bomgardner is crowned 2022 Lebanon Area Fair Queen
Bomgardner was crowned the 2023 Pennsylvania State Fair Queen during a program Saturday night, Jan. 21, in Hershey. The event, held in conjunction with the 110th annual convention of the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs and Pennsylvania State Showmen’s Association, was livestreamed on Facebook.
Bomgardner came out first in a field of 58 contestants, who were judged by three panelists on writing and speaking skills, fair and agricultural acumen, and overall presentation.
“As local fair queens, these young people are ambassadors for their communities, for agriculture, and for Pennsylvania,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding in a press release. “Their advocacy and passion play a critical role in connecting fair visitors and people across the Commonwealth to agriculture.” He added, “Chloe has already accomplished so much for agriculture, and she certainly has a bright future ahead.”
Bomgardner and runnerup Sarah Rehmeyer of York County will both receive a scholarship from the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs at the end of their reigns in January 2024.
In addition to holding the Lebanon Area Fair title, Bomgardner is also president of the Northern Lebanon County 4-H Dairy Club and vice president of the Northern Lebanon FFA chapter. She is the daughter of East Hanover Township’s Corwin and Tara Bomgardner. Bomgardner assist on her family’s farm with raising Holstein show heifers, dairy beef, chickens, and market hogs. She plans to attend college to major in Large Animal Science.
Bomgardner is the 37th state queen. She will travel around the commonwealth over the coming year as an ambassador of Pennsylvania’s agricultural heritage and industry.
“I came into this as all of us, all 59 contestants, really hoping to come home with a crown, but at the end of the day, it’s not because of the crown, but it’s because of the passion for the agricultural industry that each and every one of us has,” said Bomgardner in her acceptance speech.
“To be able to promote our county fairs, which have a special place in each and every one of our hearts, and that’s ultimately what my main goal was – to share my passion and love for the agricultural industry and to be able to promote it to the future generations.”
Being a royal is traditionally a family affair, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t note that Chloe’s sister Crystal served as 2021 Lebanon County Dairy Princess and the 2022 Pennsylvania Alternate Dairy Princess.
Both young ladies are part of a vibrant and active local dairy promotion program which dates back more than 50 years in the county.
Read More: Dairy promotion program celebrates 50th annual Dairy Princess coronation
For more information on the PA State Fair Queen program, including details on how to request an appearance by the queen herself, visit the PSACF website.
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This article was updated with additional information from the Pennsylvania Fair Queen Program.
