2018 Miss Kosciusko County Fair Queen Ashely Larson affixes the sash of Taureil Smith, who was the runner-up in the toddler division of the Kiddie Pageant at the 2018 Kosciusko County Community Fair, as Teen Miss Kosciusko Ashley Irwin looks on. (Photo by Keith Knepp)

WARSAW — Scores of children took the stage inside the event tent on the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds on Monday evening to vie for the various royal titles up for grabs in the Kosciusko County Community Fair’s annual kiddie pageant. Hats, tiaras, crowns and sashes were set upon the heads and shoulders of the newly minted young kings and queens of the fair and their respective courts.

The first part of the event was emceed by Miss Kosciusko Fair Queen Ashely Larson, who posed questions to the first two groups of contestants. When Larson left the tent to attend to other fair duties, the job was handed over to Belle, the princess of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast fame. The final group was hosted by Kosciusko 4-H Princess Valerie Messmore.

Earning the respective titles of Toddler Mr. and Miss Kosciusko were Keegan Greene, 2, of Warsaw, and Andrea de la Cruz, 2, of Winona Lake. The first Miss runner-up sash went to Tauriel Smith of Etna Green, while the second runner-up was Hazel Julien of Warsaw.

In the Preschool Mr. and Miss Kosciusko, the winners were Luke Ellis, 4, of Warsaw, and Elliana Kline, 3, also of Warsaw. Finishing second among the boys in the age group was Isaak Petre, Warsaw, and in third place was Brantley Bussard, Warsaw. For the young ladies, earning first runner-up was Charlotte Metzger, Silver Lake, while the second runner-up was Livia Pilcher, Warsaw.

The titles of Little Mr. and Little Miss Kosciusko went to Alex Leeper, 6, Warsaw, and Payton Slaymaker, 7, Claypool. Finishing second among the boys was Dayten Brown, Warsaw, with third place going to Noah Scott Cavender, Winona Lake. For the girls, the next two finishers were Alina Cullers, Warsaw, and Macilyn Phillips, Warsaw.

In the oldest age group, Jackson Sroufe, 10, Larwill, was named Junior Mr. Kosciusko County King, while Lucy Andrew, 10, Winona Lake, was crowned Junior Miss Kosciusko County Queen. Cavan Tom was the runner-up for the boys while Myla Phillips of Warsaw and Kieryn Sroufe of Larwill finished in second and third places.

All participants received a token for a free ice cream treat from a local restaurant, as well as the knowledge that they fearlessly mastered the stage. Congratulations to all the winners and contestants.

Toddler division winners in the 2018 Kosciusko County Community Fair Kiddie Pageant were, from left: Keegan Greene, king; Andrea de la Cruz, queen; Tauriel Smith, first runner-up; and Hazel Julian, second runner-up. (Photo by Keith Knepp)

Preschool division winners in the 2018 Kosciusko County Community Fair Kiddie Pageant were, from left: Charlotte Metzger, first runner-up; Elliana Kline, queen; Livia Pilcher, second runner-up; Luke Ellis, king; Isaak Petre, first runner-up; and Brantley Bussard, second-runner up. (Photo by Keith Knepp)

Little division winners in the 2018 Kosciusko County Community Fair Kiddie Pageant were, from left: Alex Leeper, king; Noah Scott Cavender, second runner-up; Dayten Brown, first runner-up; Macilyn Phillips, second runner-up; Alina Cullers, first runner-up; and Payton Slaymaker, 7, Claypool. (Photo by Keith Knepp)

Junior division winners in the 2018 Kosciusko County Community Fair Kiddie Pageant were, from left: Kieren Sroufe, second runner-up; Jackson Sroufe, king; Tavan Tom, first runner-up; Myla Phillips, first runner-up; and Lucy Andrew, queen. (Photo by Keith Knepp)