WTAJ Commercial Shoot!

Denise (WTAJ), Marra, Brandi (WTAJ)

Yesterday I had the privilege of being able to go to the WTAJ Studio in Altoona and film the 2011 Huntingdon County Fair Commercial. It was a alot of fun and I had a blast working with the WTAJ staff to help produce the commercial. I hope all of you will like the commercial as soon as it is aired! After we ran threw the commercial a couple of times it was time to shoot it! The staff was very energetic and I really enjoyed getting to work with them! After the commercial Brandi (WTAJ employee) took me on a personal tour of the entire studio! You'd be amazed at how many rooms there are in a TV studio. Thank goodness I had Brandi or I would have gotten lost in that maze! It was such a great experience and being that I want to go to college and major in communications and eventually work on TV or radio, made it even better! After yesterday I can definitely see myself working on a TV set!


Unfortunately my reign is coming to a close soon, so I will be updating my blog as many times as I can before my final farewell. I hope you all enjoy reading my blogs and hearing about some of the stuff that I have done throughout my reign.


Until Next Time,
Marra A. Aurand
2010-2011 Huntingdon County Fair Queen

Wanted: 2011 Huntingdon County Fair Queen Contestants!

Hey Ladies! Have you ever wanted to wear a sparkly crown, a satin sash and be a public figure? Well now is your chance! The 2011 Huntingdon County Fair Queen Pageant is only weeks away and that means that my journey as Queen will be come to a close and a new young lady will take my place. This has been a year in which I will never forget. I have had the opportunity to work with some of the biggest names in the agricultural industry, promote the Farm Safety 4 Just Kids platform, be a role model for young girls all over the county and become a better person. I have made so many wonderful memories throughout my reign that I would have never had the opportunity to have if I had not ran for Fair Queen. I still have a few events left before my big farewell and I am going to cherish every single moment that I have left in my reign. I encourage all girls out there ages 16-20 to hurry up and get your application into the fair office as soon as possible. I can guarantee you that this will be one of the best adventures of your life! If you have any questions feel free to contact me at (814) 251-3209. I am here to offer pointers and help all of the candidates be the best that they can be. Plus this years marks the 10th Anniversary for the pageant and how cool would that be to be crowned the 10th Annual Huntingdon County Fair Queen at our special pageant. I hope to see you all at the Fair Queen Contestant Social on July 9th at 1 pm at the Huntingdon County Fair Grounds where my wonderful coordinators and I will be there to discuss the rules, obligations and duties of each contestant. This has been a dream come true for me and I hope it will do the same for you!

Until Next Time,
2010-2011 Huntingdon County Fair Queen
Marra Alexis Aurand

Summertime!!

Schools out and that means that the 2011 Huntingdon County Fair is just a couple months away! Be sure to check out the premium book and get your entries into the fair office as soon as possible! I am very excited for the upcoming fair and I hope that all of you are just as excited as I am.

Recently, I attended the Pork Pizazz 4-H club, where I talked about Farm Safety, the Huntingdon County Fair, and played a few games. Then I was fortunate enough to attended 2 Elementary Schools in the Mount Union Area School District. First I was off to Mapleton Elementary, where I proudly attended grade school. A gave a presentation to the entire student body and staff. I started by talking about my adventures and accomplishments at Mapleton and told students to cherish those moments because the memories that you make while you're young, are the ones that you will cherish forever. I explained how I had the dream of becoming Fair Queen, and how I set my sights on my dream and worked really hard to accomplish my goal. Then I talked about the Huntingdon County Fair and had some very eager students tell me about their experiences at my fair. After that it was time to go over the Farm Safety rules. The students were very attentive and responded extremely well when I asked them Farm Safety questions. After that I split the students by grade level and we played a game as I handed out prizes. Then we had a lengthy question and answer period. After that I introduced a contest. I asked the students that wanted too, to write me a story about their favorite part of my fair and if they could change something about the fair, what would it be?" The winner of the best essay would win tickets to the 2011 Huntingdon County Fair. Once I got the essays back I spent the evening reading them and got over 30 stories from students from kindergarden to sixth grade. They were completely adorable and I loved reading them.


Then I was off to Shirley Township Elementary where I met with Mrs. Danish and Ms. Smith's first grade classes. I reviewed the Farm Safety's with them and talked about the Fair. I then passed out prizes and T-shirts to children that got questions right. After that we did a little craft. We used toilet papers rolls, painted them pink, tied a string around them and made pig snouts. Right before we went to lunch the kids put their pig noses on and seen who could make the best pig noises. It was so cute and the children really enjoyed it. Then I was fortunate enough to have lunch with Mrs. Danish's class. It was so sweet to see the little girls and even the boys bicker over who got to sit beside the Queen. That always puts a smile on my face and makes me love my title as Fair Queen even more. I was then fortunate enough to speak at the Captain Jack FFA Banquet, which was very special to me since I am a member of that Chapter.

Being the 2010-2011 Huntingdon County Fair Queen has really had an impact on which path I will choose after I graduate. Being the spokesperson for the Fair and the Farm Safety 4 Just Kids Organization has made me realize that I really enjoy speaking in front of people, being in the media, being a leader and stressing the importance of different ideas and situations. Therefore I plan to go to college and major in Communications. That way I can be a spokesperson, be in the media, be a leader and stress the importance of things for my lifelong career and not just one year. There is so much to say and do and you can not accomplish everything in one year, so for me to go to college and major in communications and make a career out of being a spokesperson would be absolutely amazing. Who knows maybe I could be the next Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture or someday the President of the United States. All I know is that this wonderful experience as Huntingdon County Fair Queen has really had an important role in my life and is a small stepping stone towards a wonderful career that I could have ahead of me.


I encourage all girls out there ages 16-21 to be a part of the 2011 Huntingdon County Fair Queen Pageant this year! Trust me, this is an experience that you will never forget. Download a copy of the Application from the Premium Book and attend the annual social. If anyone has any questions, feel free to contact me at (814) 251-3209 or contact any of the Fair Queen Coordinators.


Until Next Time,
Marra A. Aurand
2010-2011 Huntingdon County Fair Queen

Staying Busy!!!

With Spring in the air and summer right around the corner, I am definitely staying busy with my queen duties. Varsity Softball season has also started for me and that is also keeping me pretty busy! Earlier this month I've attended the Juniata Valley Lions Club Annual Dinner and meeting. I gave a Farm Safety 4 Just Kids demonstration and also talked about the PA Friends of Fairs program. Then I was fortunate enough to attend the Huntingdon County Holstein Association yearly banquet. I got to speak about my recent activities, enjoy a wonderful meal, and listen to what's all happening in the Holstein Association. Then it was time for a visit to the Spring Farms Livestock 4-H Club. There I got to talk about my Farm Safety 4 Just Kids platform and all of the wonderful opportunities I've been able to have as the Huntingdon County Fair Queen. We then played a few games and I handed out prizes and informational pamphlets. Then a week after that I attended the monthly Huntingdon County Fair Board meeting and boy are things for the 2011 fair really coming together thanks to our amazing fair board and wonderful volunteers. I encourage any girl out there ages 16-20 to run for Huntingdon County Fair Queen this year. It's an amazing experience and you will gain so much from this opportunity. If you have any questions feel free to contact me at (814) 251-3209 or email me at maurand@verizon.net and I will be happy to help you.



Until Next Time,
Marra A. Aurand
2010-2011 Huntingdon County Fair Queen

Home Sweet Home!

You never know how much you miss home and your comfy bed until you get there. Last evening was the end of the PA State Fair Queen Pageant. After our meal all the queen contestants went out into the hall to line up to go out on stage. Since it was the 25th Annual PA Fair Queen Pageant they introduced the past 25 fair queens. 10 past queens were able to show up for the pageant. Then it was time to go on the stage. We got announced one by one as we entered onto the stage. Then it was time for Miss. Congeniality to be announced. My friend from Somerset County Breanna Robinson won that title and I was very happy for her. Then it was time for top 5. Unfortunately I didn't make top 5 but that just means better things are going to happen for me. To be honest I'm actually happy I didn't win because I can come back a be an awesome Huntingdon County Fair Queen. I'd like to thank the Huntingdon County Fair Board for being so supportive. Even though I didn't win, they all said I did an awesome job this weekend, that I looked beautiful, and that they couldn't be more proud of me. That meant so much to me and I'm glad I can come back and represent my fair, the Huntingdon County Fair. The top 5 was Somerset County, Perry County, Centre Grange, Gratz Fair, and Unionville Fair. Congratulations to Miss. Unionville for being crowned the 2011 PA State Fair Queen. After the pageant it was time to have fun since it was all over. So the Huntingdon County Fair Board and I all went to the hospitality room to eat, socialize, and have some fun. Then Sunday morning we left and I was on my way home. Well it's time for the this Queen to get some sleep because she has school tomorrow.

Until Next Time,
Marra A. Aurand
2010-2011 Huntingdon County Fair Queen

Saturday Morning!!!!

Whooo hooo I got to sleep in till 7 am this morning, then it was time to get ready for the BIG day! I started my day at breakfast with the Huntingdon County Fair Board. Then it was time to get ready to give my speech. After I was ready I was off to the room to give my speech. The room was filled with my family, my coordinators, some of the Huntingdon County Fair Board, the judges, and a whole bunch of people from other fairs. At first I was calm, but then right before I went in, I got a bit nervous. I walked into the room and did what I've been practicing for all along. My coordinators and family said that I did a fantastic job! Then the judging was over until the pageant but for some reason I had a nervous breakdown. It all just hit me and thoughts kept running through my mind like: "Am I good enough", "Wonder if they like me", "Do I even have a chance?" But thanks to my coordinators and wonderful friend Kayla I was able to suck it up and stay focused for the pageant. Kayla and I decided to go to the hot tub and relax, since I had the rest of the day to relax before the BIG Pageant. After we relaxed by the pool, we went for some lunch at the Bear's Den. Then it was time to relax in my room before getting pampered. Well it's time to get my hair done, so I'll be updating everyone after the Pageant. Wish me Luck!!

Until Next Time,
Marra A. Aurand
2010-2011 Huntingdon County Fair Queen

Friday Evening (Day Two)!!!!!!!!!

I just looked at my clock and it says 11:44 pm. Yes, I just now getting ready to go to bed. Since I last updated I have been EXTREMELY busy! At 6 pm all 56 contestants attended a Social with the Judges. There we got to interact with the judges as well as the State Coordinators and other Contestants. Then it was time to leave that and head to the Pennsylvania Showman's Banquet. The Huntingdon County Fair Board and I had a very fun time at the Banquet and we also had a wonderful meal...my favorite part was the chocolate dessert...oh and did I mention that here at the Hershey Lodge they put Hersey kisses on your pillows! It's really cool. Then I had to meet the other 55 contestants and go to 2010 PA Fair Queen Casey Hall's party. While there we played some very fun games and really got to know each other. We also started to scout out who we wanted to vote for for Miss. Congeniality. After that I was off to meet my coordinators and practice my speech. Then it was time to go to the hospitality room and hang out with the Huntingdon County Fair Board. Well it's past my bed time and tomorrow is a Huge Day because it's PAGEANT DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well I'll be updating you tomorrow afternoon after my speech and then again after the pageant and hopefully I'll be wearing that big crown!!!!!


Until Next Time,
Marra A. Aurand
2010-2011 Huntingdon County Fair Queen