Baby faces highlight festivities at First Town Days
Baby face, you’ve got the cutest little baby face – those lyrics could have played more than 100 times at the First Town Days Baby Contest, held on Saturday, July 3, during the First Town Days Festival held at Tuscora Park. Mixed in with a gorgeous weekend packed with a perfect parade, the glittering tiaras of visiting royalty, a wedding, fair food heaven, a 5K run, pie eating and best legs contests, and plenty of live entertainment, the Baby Contest brought out some of the most ardent fans of all.
“This is nice. I think this is a fun event, and people come and really show up for this baby contest. It’s really for the parents and the grandparents,” admitted Susan Watson, who assisted with the contest judging process.
Linda Zesiger was another volunteer judge, and also the new grandmother of granddaughter, Quinn. She joked that she would have to resign as a judge if Quinn decided to enter the contest in the future, but was focused on the task facing her and her fellow judges.
“We’re looking for smile, outfit, personality, eyes and sparkle. The fun stuff,” said Zesiger.
“We are looking for the child that stands out. Whatever pops,” agreed Watson.
“There are over 100 here, and they had to turn many away,” noted Robin Mackey, adding that children from birth to 48 months could compete.
Amy Zorza, of Georgia, was participating as one of the four judges. “I come home every summer to visit with my family, so this is my third year to do this. I’m excited to be here.” The New Philadelphia native noted that she found it easy to maintain impartiality, as she has not lived in the area for a number of years.
“We had a fantastic turnout,” agreed Debbie Henry, who was assisting her daughter, Dennielle, with the contest. “Next year we are going to have to expand to allow 150.”
Organizer and emcee was Dennielle Henry, of New Philadelphia, who welcomed the crowd.
“I want to thank the many sponsors of the goodie bags we have for each child, as well as the judges and those who had come out to watch the contest,” said Henry, before she brought up each child to the park amphitheater stage individually for a moment in the spotlight. Unfortunately, soon after the contest began, the sky opened and a downpour occurred. Still, parents and grandparents simply popped open umbrellas or found shelter under trees until the contest could proceed.
Children in five age groups competed in best eyes, smile, dress, and personality, with one overall winner chosen in each group.
Overall winners were Sophia Risley, Khloe Sours, Piper Symons, Ella Dorsey, and Miley Stewart.
Other popular First Town Days contests were the best legs and pie eating contests. Taking home top honors in the legs contests were:
Ugliest: Ricky Johnson, New Philadelphia
Tannest: Clemmit McVay, New Philadelphia
Hairest: Matt Torgler, New Philadelphia
Whitest: Daniel Millard Sr., New Philadelphia
Most Muscular: Roudy West, New Philadelphia
Best Artwork: Marcus Plunk, Dover
Overall Winner: Chad Crowthers, New Philadelphia
Pie eating contest results:
12 and under category
First: Sara Gamble, New Philadelphia
Second: Onalee Walker, Adena
Third: Justin West, New Philadelphia
13 and over category
First: Robert Pealy, New Philadelphia
Second: Bill Pealy, New Philadelphia
Third: Marcus Plunk, Dover
“This is nice. I think this is a fun event, and people come and really show up for this baby contest. It’s really for the parents and the grandparents,” admitted Susan Watson, who assisted with the contest judging process.
Linda Zesiger was another volunteer judge, and also the new grandmother of granddaughter, Quinn. She joked that she would have to resign as a judge if Quinn decided to enter the contest in the future, but was focused on the task facing her and her fellow judges.
“We’re looking for smile, outfit, personality, eyes and sparkle. The fun stuff,” said Zesiger.
“We are looking for the child that stands out. Whatever pops,” agreed Watson.
“There are over 100 here, and they had to turn many away,” noted Robin Mackey, adding that children from birth to 48 months could compete.
Amy Zorza, of Georgia, was participating as one of the four judges. “I come home every summer to visit with my family, so this is my third year to do this. I’m excited to be here.” The New Philadelphia native noted that she found it easy to maintain impartiality, as she has not lived in the area for a number of years.
“We had a fantastic turnout,” agreed Debbie Henry, who was assisting her daughter, Dennielle, with the contest. “Next year we are going to have to expand to allow 150.”
Organizer and emcee was Dennielle Henry, of New Philadelphia, who welcomed the crowd.
“I want to thank the many sponsors of the goodie bags we have for each child, as well as the judges and those who had come out to watch the contest,” said Henry, before she brought up each child to the park amphitheater stage individually for a moment in the spotlight. Unfortunately, soon after the contest began, the sky opened and a downpour occurred. Still, parents and grandparents simply popped open umbrellas or found shelter under trees until the contest could proceed.
Children in five age groups competed in best eyes, smile, dress, and personality, with one overall winner chosen in each group.
Overall winners were Sophia Risley, Khloe Sours, Piper Symons, Ella Dorsey, and Miley Stewart.
Other popular First Town Days contests were the best legs and pie eating contests. Taking home top honors in the legs contests were:
Ugliest: Ricky Johnson, New Philadelphia
Tannest: Clemmit McVay, New Philadelphia
Hairest: Matt Torgler, New Philadelphia
Whitest: Daniel Millard Sr., New Philadelphia
Most Muscular: Roudy West, New Philadelphia
Best Artwork: Marcus Plunk, Dover
Overall Winner: Chad Crowthers, New Philadelphia
Pie eating contest results:
12 and under category
First: Sara Gamble, New Philadelphia
Second: Onalee Walker, Adena
Third: Justin West, New Philadelphia
13 and over category
First: Robert Pealy, New Philadelphia
Second: Bill Pealy, New Philadelphia
Third: Marcus Plunk, Dover
Published: July 4, 2011
