Hannah Perazzo answers a judge's question during the contest.
Katie Taylor and Joel Mincer were named this year’s Cantaloupe Festival King and Queen after winning Tuesday’s contest.
The event was small, with only three participants attending. Mincer ran unopposed and Taylor competed against Hannah Perazzo for the crown.
Mincer said being named king was cool. He said it was a “new opportunity to explore Fallon” and reach out to different parts of the community. The title would also help later in life on college and job applications.
Taylor admitted she did not expect to win — she felt that Perazzo was a good opponent in the contest. She said she’s thrilled to have won, though, and is excited for the opportunity and getting to contribute to the community.
“I’m really excited for the festival,” Taylor said.
This year’s theme was Greenwave Pride. The contestants were asked questions about their community involvement, what makes Churchill County great and how they would encourage people to come to Fallon.
“We’re not just those memes,” said Perazzo, describing pride in the community as the most important quality of the Cantaloupe Festival King and Queen. “We really have a lot to be proud of here.”
The Festival King and Queen must be Churchill County residents and at least 16 years of age; there is no maximum age, though, and any adult can sign up.
“Last year we did have an 84 year old lady who signed up, but she didn’t come,” said Robyn Jordan, communications coordinator for the Cantaloupe Festival.
The position is held for a year and passed on before the next Cantaloupe Festival.
The participants are judged on involvement in the community, being well spoken, overall pride in Fallon and their ability to be a good ambassador for the area.
Jordan said they hope to attract more participants next year. She recalled it was a big event once, but has waxed and waned over time. The current board hopes to revive the contest back to its past participation.
The Cantaloupe Festival King and Queen act as ambassadors for the festival, promoting the festival at community events and parades. Jordan, however, said she feels there’s more to the position; she said the King and Queen act as ambassadors for Fallon and Churchill County as a whole, promoting the area and acting “as good representatives of the town.”