A regal evening

COLE CAMP –Edwyn Rehmer celebrated his fifth birthday Thursday night like a king.

Edwyn was crowned the Future King at the Cole Camp Fair’s Future King and Queen contest.

It was Edwyn’s fifth birthday, and he said he was excited to win.

The contest took center stage during the opening day of the fair that continues today.

Seventeen children ages 4 to 6 competed in the contest with an interview beginning at 1 p.m.

Pat Barnes, who helped coordinate the event, said the children answered questions such as, “What is your favorite color?” “What is your favorite food?” and “Do you have any pets?”

“The kids seem to like it,” Barnes said.

Kaelyn Teague, 4, of Cole Camp, said when she grows up, she wants to be a barrel racer.

Jody Teague, Kaelyn’s mother, said the little girl got to help pick out her purple and green dress for the contest.

“She enjoys getting dressed up,” Teague said.

Sherri Brandt, of Cole Camp, said that her two sons, Evan, 4, and Ean, 5, liked participating in the contest.

“This is part of the fun events for the children to participate in,” Brandt said.

At 5 p.m., children took the grandstand stage to answer a few questions about themselves in front of the audience.

In between questions, children waved at Mom and Dad in the audience and wiggled out of their seats.

Future Queen winner Brooke Anderson, 5, of Ionia, told judges she had five cats at home. When asked if she had a boyfriend, she promptly answered, “no.”

Brooke’s mother, Jamie Anderson, said that Brooke competed in the contest last year.

“She gets excited about it,” Anderson said.

Peyton Wright, 4, told the judges that he didn’t have a girlfriend and didn’t want one. When asked if it would make a difference if the girl had money, his answer was yes.

This year was the first time the Future King and Queen Contest drew more boys than girls. Four girls participated with 13 boys.
Last year’s contest had 27 participants.

Brooke and Edwyn received a crown and trophy. All the children got to take home bags filled with candy, toys, gift certificates and a wristband for the carnival rides on Saturday.

Future King and Queen participants were invited to ride in the parade Thursday night.