| Barbara performed for audiences each day. |
Since winning the Miss Utah State Fair Queen title, Barbara Burke has spent the last two weeks reigning over fair activities. Burke said, “We have been performing our talents at the gazebo and other stages around the fair. We also do karaoke each night. Each morning we sit at the queen’s corner and read to the children who come to the fair and I’ve really enjoyed that.
“Each of the contestants in the queen contest brought their favorite book and donated it to the children. After we read to the children then they can take a book home with them. Every night of the rodeo we rode into the arena for the grand entry. We rode on Dodge pickups and they introduced us to the audience and we were close to the action. We met a lot of cowboys.
“We also met OTown and Joan Jett. On September 11 when they had the patriotic program, we met Billy Ray Cyrus who sang on the program and Olene Walker, the lieutenant governor. Each night we also participate in the ‘meet and greet’ before each of the concerts. We met L. Tom Perry at the patriotic program and that was special.
“We’ve been on all of the local news channels. We met with Angie Larsen from Channel 4 and with Allie MacKay from Fox 13. I was also in the ice cream eating contest. Each year the Dairy Princess challenges the Fair Queen to a contest. Usually the dairy princess wins, but this year I won the contest. We had our picture in the Salt Lake Tribune, but my mouth was so stuffed with ice cream you couldn’t tell it was me.
“We did the macarana with the square dancers and we were on the X-96 radio station and also on KSOP with Country Joe. On Thursday we sang America the Beautiful at the rodeo. We also get to stand on stage through the concerts. Trick Pony a country group is going to perform, also.
“Each night we judge the family fun night that Meadow Gold sponsors. We’ve done so many things and it’s been really fun. We also cooked with the Gabby Gourmet and were in a pie eating contest. The fair board pays for our room and board expenses and we have been staying at the Crystal Inn in Salt Lake.
“My first attendant is Erika Stevens and she is from Layton. We have a fair mom who is our chaperone and her name is Dana Wooley. They also provided a car for our use while we are here. We also had a special night out where we ate at the LaCaille. One Sunday we went to Music and the Spoken Word and heard the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
“I’ve been attending Snow College and am representing them here as well. We will receive a scholarship from the fair board and I will also have the opportunity to compete in the Miss Utah pageant again next June. It’s been a great experience and we’ve met a lot of cool people and participated in a lot of interesting events,” said Burke.
Burke is the daughter of Joan and Steve Burke of Ferron.