Apple Festival seeking Royalty candidates

The Gays Mills Festival Committee is excited to announce the 2023 Gays Mills Apple Festival will be held September 22-24, 2023. As part of Apple Festival Tradition, they are searching for candidates for 2023 Gays Mills Apple Festival Royalty.

The Gays Mills Apple Festival Royalty serve as goodwill ambassadors representing the greater Gays Mills Community at area events, local community coronations, festivals and parades. The Royalty promotes our local Apple Orchards and the greater Gays Mills Community, participate in community fundraisers and perform community service activities through out the year. Additionally, the Royalty will “reign” over the 64th Annual Gays Mills Apple Festival, September 22-24, 2023. They will: 1. Attend the various activities and events that occur over Apple Festival weekend 2. Participate in activities/ events of choosing or of interest (i.e. running in the 5k Run) 3. Welcome attendees, visitors and vendors at Apple Festival and at the Orchards 4. To assist other organizations that may be participating in Apple Festival (i.e. 2 hour shift assisting the Lion’s Club with admissions parking at the Fairgrounds) 5. Riding on the float in the Big Apple Parade on the Sunday of Apple Festival.

Candidates applying for Gays Mills Apple Festival Royalty must be aged 6-19, or in Kindergarten–12th Grades, as of 2023 Gays Mills Apple Festival Coronation, May 13, 2023. The Royalty Advisor reserves the right to adjust the age requirements/ royalty categories based on the number of candidates and the ages of the candidates that have applied. Tentative Royalty Categories and ages are as follows: Apple King/ Queen—9th-12th grades or ages 15-19, Apple Prince/ Princess—5th-8th grades or ages 11-14, Apple Blossom Prince/Princess—K-4th grades or ages 6-10.

Candidates must reside within the North Crawford School District or be openenrolled into North Crawford Schools. The candidates may attend North Crawford Schools, in person or virtually, be home-schooled, attend an online school, parochial/ private school or another school outside of the North Crawford School District through open enrollment. They may also reside in the Village of Mount Sterling regardless of the school they attend.

Candidates must have a sponsor for the contest. Sponsors may be businesses, organizations or individuals. There is a $30.00 sponsorship fee that helps to cover the contest expenses. All sponsors are invited and encouraged to attend Coronation. Candidate sponsors will be introduced at Coronation, mentioned in a newspaper write-up, listed on the Royalty float for the year and on the Gays Mills Apple Queen Royalty Facebook page.

Coronation will be held at the Gays Mills 212 Main Street Community Building on Saturday, May 13. There will be an Apple Pie and Ice Cream Social Fundraiser will be 2-4 p.m., with the Coronation Program beginning at 3 p.m. The program will begin with a formal introduction of the candidates and current Royalty, their parents and sponsors, a short program and announcement of the selected Royalty that will reign over the 2023 Gays Mills Apple Festival.

After the coronation program there will be time for pictures. Family, Friends and Sponsors of Candidates and Current Royalty, Former Gays Mills Former Royalty, Spring Folk Festival Attendees, and Representatives from Local Businesses and Organizations are invited to attend. Tickets are $5 for Adults and $3 for Students.