From staff reports

Contestants face a March 31 deadline for the 2023 Miss Allen County Queen Scholarship Pageant. The pageant begins at 5 p.m. April 23 in the Exhibit Building at the Allen County Fairgrounds, 2726 Carroll Road, Fort Wayne.

Admission is $5. Ages 5 and under are admitted free.

Contestants should reach out to Pageant Director Michelle Love at missallencounty@gmail.com to request contestant packets and to submit completed forms. Find more information through the Events link at www.allencountyfairgroundsin.com.

The program is open to young ladies who live in Allen County, ages 17-21, with age cut-offs based on the contestant’s age as of June 1. This is a scholarship program, offering over $4,000 in scholarships to the court each year. Girls compete in interview, on-stage modeling, prepared speech and on-stage question. The prepared speech was added this year to align with the Indiana State Fair Pageant. The winner and her court will reign over the 2023 Allen County Fair, getting many prizes and full VIP access to the fair.

This year’s Allen County Fair will be June 20-25, more than a month earlier than in years past. The county fair was moved up to avoid conflicts with the Indiana State Fair, which this year is July 28-Aug. 20. The pageant, in turn, was moved up. A fair announcement explains “This earlier date will help avoid conflicts such as graduations … and still allow us to crown a 2023 queen before the Allen County Fair … ”

Last year, 14 contestants sought the queen title. Bridget Bane won the crown, also winning the People’s Choice Award voted on by the audience.

Fair admission is $5 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, and $10 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Admission is free each weekday until 2 p.m. Ages 5 and under are admitted free each day. Fair parking is free.

Active military and veterans with proper ID are admitted free on Sunday, Military Appreciation Day.

Also on Sunday, Fairs Care Day admission is free with the donation of five or more nonperishable food items to Associated Churches of Fort Wayne and Allen County. Glass containers are not permitted.

Carnival rides are just one ticket on Thursday and Sunday.

Some events have an additional cost; details will be marked on the fair schedule when complete.

The 4-H Awards Ceremony will be 4-6 p.m. Sunday, June 25.

The 2023 Allen County Fair is home to Allen County 4-H and features animal shows, projects and events throughout the week. In addition to 4-H festivities, the fair offers a full food court, carnival rides, and a lengthy list of family-fun events.

Highlighted events include a free ice cream social, hot air balloon flight/glow, 4X4 truck pull, demolition derby, kids day, live music, pedal car races, themed nights at the Free Activities Stage & Tent and more.

For an overview and updates, visit www.allencountyfairgroundsin.com.