The 141st Dresden Exhibition got underway on Friday night and the new Ambassador of the Fair was officially crowned. Rachael Cameron was announced as the winner during the opening ceremonies held inside the Dresden Arena auditorium.
“It’s such an honour just to be nominated for this competition,” Cameron told the crowd.
“I’d like to thank the people who made this competition happen. Lucille Laprise with the Dresden Agricultural Society, Christal Wills, Gary Patterson. I’d like to give a big thank you to the community of Dresden. I’ve been involved with so many things and it has really helped me.”
Cameron added: “I’d like to thank my parents and my family. I’d like to give a big thank you to my grandparents, who really inspired me to do this. Another big thank you to Lindsay Martin, Taryn McBrayne and Shirley McKerral who mentored me and helped me through this.”
Brady and Brooklyn Cowell, who are brother and sister, were crowned as the prince and princess of the Exhibition.
“We hope you guys enjoy yourselves at the fair,” Brooklyn Cowell said. “These next few days I know it’s going to be hot, but you’ll just have to stick it out.”
Shirley McKerral, the long time organizer of the Ambassador competition, said the contest has been going on for 43 consecutive years.
“Tonight, we have three very, very talented young ladies,” McKerral said.
“In May, they met at my house for pizza and information evening. Learning about this program, Lindsay Martin, our former Fair Ambassador and her mother Nicole coached the contestants bout the competition and what was expected of them. They talked about public speaking, preparing a speech and practicing the dreaded impromptu question, which can be very scary.”
McKerral said the competition itself was held on June 14.
“They were interviewed by our three chosen judges,” she said. “They were required to speak on agriculture or your Agricultural Society. Then they had to answer an impromptu question.”
Cameron will also receive a $500 bursary, while runners up Emma Richards and Hannah Badder each receive $200 bursaries as well.
Cameron winner also receives a tiara from Babcock Jewellers and a photo session and framed portrait from Captured Moments. The contestants receive a bouquets of flowers from McKellar’s Flowers.
Here are some photos from the opening ceremonies:
