Last week, Shelby Blake was elbow-deep in a tractor, helping to replace a water pump with her mom.
On Sunday, Blake traded in her boots for heels when she was crowned Brown County Fair queen.
“I am so shocked and so honored. This is amazing. I did not expect it. This is my very first year (competing). I did not expect it, but I am so honored to represent Brown County,” Blake said after receiving the crown on July 27.
Blake competed against six other girls. Ashley Stout was crowned Miss Congeniality. Lacey Sichting was second-runner up and Jessica Taylor was first-runner up.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Rebecca Billings is this year’s fair princess.
Being more of a tomboy is one of the reasons Blake decided to compete for the fair’s top crown. But that, plus feeling a bit insecure, made getting up on stage a scary experience, she said. She also isn’t a fan of talking in front of people or being in front of large crowds, so the pageant brought her out of her comfort zone.
After her name was announced as queen, Blake said she felt a wave of shock and excitement.
“I was expecting to come in, get some interview experience and then come in next year to actually maybe be able to compete better, since I would be older, but I am so honored,” she said.
This is Blake’s first time competing for the fair queen title. Her sister, Macey Lance, won the crown in 2008. That’s another reason Blake decided to compete.
“She really was, like, a big inspiration to me,” Blake said of her sister.
“I’ve seen countless of my friends get up on the stage and run. To come up here and be one of those girls who wins this title is amazing.”
Blake said she dreamed of the day when she could be a positive influence for other little girls who admire her crown. Not long after stepping off the stage at the Brown County 4-H Fairgrounds, her dream came true.
Her sister, Macey, came up to Blake to let her know that a little girl — who was also wearing a tiny tiara — was standing nearby wanting a moment in her presence.
“I felt so bad for passing her up. I had to go back for her. She was very, very shy. I don’t think she expected me to look for her,” she said.
“I’ve always wanted to have that magical little moment, because I love kids.”
For Blake’s parents, Sheila and Shane, their daughter’s win came as a surprise, too.
“I thought I was going to faint. I think the lady behind me thought I fainted,” Sheila said with a laugh.
“She’s our mud and boots, likes to get her hands dirty and work on cars.”
“I’m just still amazed,” dad Shane added.
Sheila said Blake’s friends competed for the crown in Bartholomew County and that also inspired Blake to try out, but she did not go into the pageant expecting to win and only use it as experience for future competitions.
“I said, ‘Now our cabinet has two crowns,’” Sheila said.
“We’re very proud of her.”
“I think all of the girls looked amazing,” she added. “I was just so impressed with the caliber of all of the girls tonight. They are just so very sweet and supportive of each other. I think Brown County needs to be proud of that. … It’s not the same everyplace,” she said.
Sheila said her daughter always amazes her with her generous ideas to help others and her warm heart.
“She would do anything for anybody. She doesn’t know a stranger and never has. She is as comfortable, I guess now, in heels and a dress as she is helping me change a water pump on the tractor,” she said.
Blake has always been mechanically inclined, Shane added. “She’s followed a lot of things I used to do. When she was 5 or 6 years old, she got a screwdriver and took the rocking horse apart that she (Sheila) had put together for her (Shelby),” he said with a laugh.
Blake will be a senior at Columbus East High School. She participates in the C4 program as a veterinarian assistant.
This weekend, Blake will be at the Indiana State Fair showing her horses. She is an active member of Columbus FFA and is a nine-year 4-H member. She’s shown horses, beef cattle, Boer goats, dogs, cats and poultry.
For Blake, being fair queen means she gets to meet as many people as possible as well as represent Brown County at the state fair.
“I am most excited to meet the people and to be able to present awards to kids when they win with their exhibits, as well as meeting people and having the best fair week,” she said.
“I am a social butterfly and I love to meet new people, so if you see me around the fair, please, please come meet me. Come say ‘Hi.’”
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First Runner-up: Jessica Taylor
Second Runner-up: Lacey Sichting
Miss Congeniality: Ashley Stout
Princess: Rebecca Billings
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