Photos provided to the Times Observer The cancellation of the fair in 2020 gave 2019 Warren County Fair Queen Chelsey Toplovich, center, two years on the “throne.” Here she is pictured with, right, first runner up Anna Huffman and Junior Miss Fair Queen Hannah Nickerson.

Come Monday night, a new Warren County Fair Queen will be crowned.

And while the passage of that crown from one year to the next is part of what marks time at one of our community’s premier events, this time is different. It’s different because the current queen — Chelsey Toplovich — held the title for two years rather than one due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But more important than that, the chair Junior Miss Fair Queen will be empty.

Hannah Jo Nickerson was crowned in 2019 but killed in a tragic house fire in October 2020, according to organizers.

According to her obituary, she was a “sassy, smart, beautiful farm tough girl” and was a ninth-grader at Corry Area High School. “Hannah lived for fair week every summer, and was an active Warren County 4-H member with the Milky-Ways Dairy Club and the Multi-Species Livestock Club. It was a likely sight to see Hannah Jo strolling around the farm with a little brown cow in tow.

Reagan Benjamin

She’ll be remembered with the formation of a nonprofit in her memory.

“Along with my sisters, mother and Hanna’s family, we are so happy to start Hannah’s Helping Hands,” Toplovich said “The nonprofit will focus in three main areas — fire safety, assisting the Warren County Fair Queen Pageant and building self-confidence in youth.”

“Hannah was confident enough to put herself out there for the pageant, which is something that is hard to do in today’s youth,” she added. “Hannah was always looking to help those in need. We will not stop until Hannah is remembered for her bravery, humbleness, and kindness.”

On Monday, three contestants will be vying for the royal post — Madison Sleeman, Russell; Katie Downs, Bear Lake and Reagan Benjamin, Irvine.

There are also three seeking the Junior Miss role — Raychel Eastman, Pittsfield; Vanessa Romanosky, Pittsfield and Jolynn Durlin, Spring Creek.

Katie Downs

The contest is set for 7 p.m. on Monday at the KeyBank Pavilion. Candidates have also participated in a photoshoot, practices and the Fourth of July parade. They’ll give speeches and be interviewed by the judges prior to the event.

Boxes for People’s Choice voting will be found at the right of the stage starting at 6:30 p.m.

The contest itself will include a group dance, introductions, presentation of a talent, an evening gown competition and answering an impromptu question. A winning essay will also be announced.

Toplovich, a 2018 Corry Area High School graduate studying social studies education at Edinboro University, said the responsibilities prior to the pandemic were “pretty jam-packed.

“We were at a different event almost every weekend,” she said. “When the pandemic hit, Anna (Huffman, 2019 runner up), Hannah and I were devastated. However, Hannah was great at keeping our spirits lifted high.”

Madison Sleeman

The queen and her court did what they could — they won the People’s Choice award for the Warren Showbox Parade, for one and snuck in events where possible.

“Social media became my best friend as I was able to read different agriculture-related stories posted to Facebook,” she said. “I also would post uplifting messages through Instagram and Facebook, reminding our county how strong we are. It was amazing to see how well the county and other counties came together to stop the spread of the virus and for moral support.”

Toplovich undertook advocacy to push for other fair queens to get that second year.

“In a time where your county needs you the most, there was no way I was going to disappoint,” she said. This extended reign has changed my life for the better. I couldn’t be more proud of where I come from, right here in Warren County.”