Royalty to be crowned at 2011 Ohio Swiss Festival
The sound of the Swiss alphorn will soon be echoing throughout the village of Sugarcreek, as the annual Ohio Swiss Festival takes place Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. Even before the official beginning of the festival, the tradition of choosing a Little Swiss Miss and her court by the random drawing of a hidden red rose will continue, with the crowning to be held on Wednesday evening, Sept. 28. This year, 14 little misses will be participating as hopefuls. On Friday night, Sept. 30, the new Ohio Swiss Festival Queen and her two attendants will be chosen from a field of three contestants, and they will travel throughout Ohio for the next year to promote the festival.
2011 Queen Contestants are:
- Betsey Jane Sigrist, 15, a 10th-grader at Garaway, daughter of Billi Jo Sigrist and Tim Sigrist. Betsey is a Garaway majorette, and enjoys 4-H, baby-sitting, reading, shopping, and spending time with her family.
- Kathryn “Katie” Eckert, 18, a freshman at Thiel College, daughter of Tim Eckert and Heather Eckert. Katie enjoys shopping, attending sporting events, and relaxing with friends and family.
- Yvonne Linette Bitikofer, 17, a Garaway junior, daughter of Derek Bitikofer. Yvonne is a Garaway cheerleader, and enjoys 4-H, fishing, four-wheeling, and spending time with friends.
This year’s Little Swiss Miss contestants are:
- Liza Thomas, 8, a third-grader at Dundee Elementary, daughter of Ron and Sarah Holcomb.
- Olivia Shell, 8, a fourth-grader at Ragersville Elementary, daughter of Randy and Shauna Shell.
- Sarah Billman, 11, a fifth-grader at Dundee Elementary, daughter of Jan and Rachel Billman.
- Ashton Gerber, 10, a fifth-grader at Miller Avenue Elementary, daughter of Todd and Valerie Gerber.
- Mattie Walter, 9, a fourth-grader at Miller Avenue Elementary, daughter of Scott and Cyndi Walter.
- Morgan Marie Metzger, 10, a fifth-grader at Miller Elementary, daughter of John and Heather Metzger.
- Carly Jacobs, 10, a fifth-grader at Dundee Elementary, daughter of Chad and Becki Jacobs.
- Alexis Jade Yoder, 10, a fifth-grader at Berlin Elementary, daughter of Laura Yoder.
- Justine Hershberger, 9, a fourth-grader at Miller Avenue Elementary, daughter of Gavin and Valerie Hershberger
- Sydni Morris, 8, a third-grader at Miller Avenue Elementary, daughter of Rhea Morris and Craig Morris
- Heather Smith, 8, a third-grader at Dundee Elementary, daughter of Ronda and John Smith.
- Chevelle German, 8, a third-grader at Miller Avenue Elementary, daughter of Holly and Jesse German.
- Faith Troyer, 10, a fourth-grader at Baltic Elementary, daughter of Stephene Troyer.
- Andrea Starner, 10, a fifth-grader at Ragersville Elementary, daughter of Heidi and Josh Starner.
The Little Swiss Miss processional and crowning will take place at the Sugarcreek Fire Station pavilion at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 28, and the Queen’s Parade and crowning of the Ohio Swiss Festival Queen will take place on the Main Stage at 10 p.m. Friday night. The Swiss Festival officially begins with the posting of colors at the Main Stage at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, although preliminary festivities will also take place on Thursday evening, with the Big Wheel Race, People’s Choice Swiss Cheese judging and cheese eating contest, Grand Champion Swiss Cheese Auction, and Hummingbird Music Student Showcase.
2011 Queen Contestants are:
- Betsey Jane Sigrist, 15, a 10th-grader at Garaway, daughter of Billi Jo Sigrist and Tim Sigrist. Betsey is a Garaway majorette, and enjoys 4-H, baby-sitting, reading, shopping, and spending time with her family.
- Kathryn “Katie” Eckert, 18, a freshman at Thiel College, daughter of Tim Eckert and Heather Eckert. Katie enjoys shopping, attending sporting events, and relaxing with friends and family.
- Yvonne Linette Bitikofer, 17, a Garaway junior, daughter of Derek Bitikofer. Yvonne is a Garaway cheerleader, and enjoys 4-H, fishing, four-wheeling, and spending time with friends.
This year’s Little Swiss Miss contestants are:
- Liza Thomas, 8, a third-grader at Dundee Elementary, daughter of Ron and Sarah Holcomb.
- Olivia Shell, 8, a fourth-grader at Ragersville Elementary, daughter of Randy and Shauna Shell.
- Sarah Billman, 11, a fifth-grader at Dundee Elementary, daughter of Jan and Rachel Billman.
- Ashton Gerber, 10, a fifth-grader at Miller Avenue Elementary, daughter of Todd and Valerie Gerber.
- Mattie Walter, 9, a fourth-grader at Miller Avenue Elementary, daughter of Scott and Cyndi Walter.
- Morgan Marie Metzger, 10, a fifth-grader at Miller Elementary, daughter of John and Heather Metzger.
- Carly Jacobs, 10, a fifth-grader at Dundee Elementary, daughter of Chad and Becki Jacobs.
- Alexis Jade Yoder, 10, a fifth-grader at Berlin Elementary, daughter of Laura Yoder.
- Justine Hershberger, 9, a fourth-grader at Miller Avenue Elementary, daughter of Gavin and Valerie Hershberger
- Sydni Morris, 8, a third-grader at Miller Avenue Elementary, daughter of Rhea Morris and Craig Morris
- Heather Smith, 8, a third-grader at Dundee Elementary, daughter of Ronda and John Smith.
- Chevelle German, 8, a third-grader at Miller Avenue Elementary, daughter of Holly and Jesse German.
- Faith Troyer, 10, a fourth-grader at Baltic Elementary, daughter of Stephene Troyer.
- Andrea Starner, 10, a fifth-grader at Ragersville Elementary, daughter of Heidi and Josh Starner.
The Little Swiss Miss processional and crowning will take place at the Sugarcreek Fire Station pavilion at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 28, and the Queen’s Parade and crowning of the Ohio Swiss Festival Queen will take place on the Main Stage at 10 p.m. Friday night. The Swiss Festival officially begins with the posting of colors at the Main Stage at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, although preliminary festivities will also take place on Thursday evening, with the Big Wheel Race, People’s Choice Swiss Cheese judging and cheese eating contest, Grand Champion Swiss Cheese Auction, and Hummingbird Music Student Showcase.
Published: September 20, 2011
