BOLIVAR Abby Grace Gaynor was all smiles after opening the pink bag and finding a red ribbon tied to the trophy inside. The red ribbon confirmed the fact she was selected as Miss Berry Princess on Thursday evening at the opening of the 14th annual Bolivar Strawberry Festival.
Abby, 9, is the daughter of Mark and Kristy Gaynor of Zoar. She will be a fourth-grader at Tuscarawas Valley Intermediate School.
“This was my last year to enter the contest. I was excited,” she said.
She was crowned by 2017 Miss Berry Princess, Hayden Huffman. Attendants were Emma Jeffery, 7, a daughter of Jason and Amanda Jeffery of Bolivar, and Piper Symons, 8, a daughter of Brandon and Stacey Symons, of Bolivar.
Abby also received a Miss Berry Princess sash and T-shirt. She and her attendants will ride in the firefighter’s parade at 4 p.m.today. Morgan Tolotti served as mistress of ceremonies. The pageant is sponsored by Through the Years Child Care Center.
The festival continues at 11 a.m. Saturday and the Little Miss Shortcake pageant will be held at noon at the south tent, along with the firefighter’s parade at 4 p.m. The strawberry eating contest will be held at 5:30 at the south tent and a variety of musical entertainment, food and inflatables for the children will be offered.
BARB LIMBACHER