ALEXANDRIA — A late evening downpour left the 4-H fairgrounds soggy on Sunday evening but did little to damper the spirits of the more than 200 people who arrived to watch the 2009 Madison County 4-H Fair queen crowned.

Out of seven contestants, Olivia Kitts of the Blue Ribbon Aces 4-H Club was crowned queen.

Kitts, daughter of Kirk and Judy Kitts, is a nine-year 4-H member specializing in sheep and swine.

She is a member of a local dance team and is a member of the National Honor Society.

In a ceremony that lasted two hours, Kitts and her fellow contestants walked a stage in the entertainment barn at the fair in evening gowns and professional attire.

They were judged on their modeling of the outfits along with an interview that took place prior to the pageant and an impromptu question posed during the ceremony.

The question: The 4-H motto is “make the best better,” how does that apply to your future endeavors?

“I work hard at what I do and sometimes I feel like I’ve given my best, but I have to work harder,” Kitts answered.

She was also named Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants.

Lauren Miller of the Happy Helpers 4-H Club was named first runner-up. She is the daughter of Jeff and Deanna Miller.

Abbey Amos of the Happy Helpers 4-H Club was named second runner-up. She is the daughter of Frank and Michele Amos.

Other winners included Erica Martin of the Fur and Feathers 4-H Club for non-finalist professional wear and Rachel Clark of the Blue Ribbon Aces 4-H Club for non-finalist formal wear.

The ceremony also included the last walk of 2008 4-H Fair Queen Amy May.

During the ceremony, 10-year 4-H’ers were honored. They included Zach Baldwin, Adam Garretson, Dana Runyan, Jessie Bohlander, Phillip Hendrick, Brian Simmons, Michael Brown, Lauren Hendricks, Kristi Talbot, Jaki Brueggen, Melissa Hobson, Cody Teeters-Bowyer, Annamarie Bustion, Mark Loose, Colleen Terry, Chris Carter, Haley Reif, Kimberly Werline, Caitlin Evans, Kyla Rhodes, Elyse Werling, Betsy Floyd and Lance Rinker.

The ceremony also honored Courtney Sizelove, who would have been a 10-year 4-H member. Sizelove died in her sleep last August after fighting a fire with the Summitville Volunteer Fire Department.