One of the biggest parades in its history opened this year’s Lawrence County Fair on Sunday.

Float after float left the Kroger parking lot heading for the fairgrounds grandstand. There, fairboard president Randall Lambert saluted each 4-H organization by reading off their accomplishments and their community and civic projects.

Then, at the livestock barn, proclamations were read by representatives of Sen. Rob Portman, U. S.Rep Bill Johnson and Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted.

Next came the naming of the fair queen and her court. Second runner-up for princess was Hannah Webb, daughter of Michael and Christine Webb. She is a freshman at Dawson-Bryant High School and a member of the Country Clover 4-H. First runner-up was Maddy Calaway, daughter of Rob Calaway and Kelley Carpenter. She is a sophomore at Symmes Valley High School and a member of the Getaway Go-Getters. Princess was Abigail Patterson, daughter of John and Katie Patterson. She is a freshman at Grace Christian and a member of Getaway Go-Getters.

Second runner-up for queen was Katie Webb, a daughter of Marty and Gloria Webb. She is a freshman at Mountwest Community College and a member of the Country Cloveers. First runner-up was Matison Klaiber, a daughter of Matthew and Lee Ann Klaiber. She is a junior at Symmes Valley High School and a member of Gingham and Denim. And this year’s queen is Morgan Harper, daughter of Keith and Tina Harper.She is a freshman at Ohio University Southern and a member of Starlite 4-H Club.