The Manheim Farm Show will turn 70 this year, and in honor of that anniversary, all former Farm Show queens are invited to a reunion.

"We would like all former queens to come to the opening ceremonies on Monday, Oct. 7, at 6:30 p.m. to be recognized as former queens," said Denise Hess, junior queen coordinator and member of the Farm Show queen committee. "This will be after opening ceremonies and before we crown the new queen." Former queens are also invited to ride on a float in the Farm Show parade on Wednesday, Oct. 9.

The Farm Show held the first queen contest in 1955. The competition is open to any female between the ages of 16 and 20 who resides in or attends Manheim Central, Donegal, Hempfield, Elizabethtown or Warwick school districts.

"Once the queen is crowned, she will reign over the Farm Show, interacting with adults and children who attend the show," Hess stated. Queens also attend all of the livestock competitions and hand out ribbons to the winners as well as attending the bake sale and auction at the Farm Show, among other responsibilities.

"Another major requirement of the queen is to represent the Manheim Farm Show at the State Fair Queen competition in Hershey, Pa., in January," Hess said. "The queen committee works with our candidate in the weeks leading up to the competition, teaching her skills that are needed for the competition." Other duties of the queen include teaching children about an aspect of agriculture through an Ag in the Classroom presentation.

Hess is hoping for a large turnout of former queens at this year's Farm Show.

"We would love to have former queens come and join the celebration with the other former queens, be recognized for their contribution to Farm Show, and to encourage young girls to enter the Farm Show queen competition," she said. "If any former queen has any of their queen memorabilia - sash, crown, etc. - we would love for them to bring it along and wear it to the Monday evening opening ceremonies."

Former queens may contact Hess at 717-665-7295, providing their name, the year they were queen and their contact information. Details about what to expect on Monday and Wednesday of the Farm Show will be sent directly to attendees.

The Farm Show is also looking for girls to sign up for this year's queen contest. All requirements will be listed in the Farm Show book published at the end of August. In the meantime, questions may be directed to Farm Show queen coordinator Jennifer Witmer at 717-203-9145.

The 2024 Manheim Farm Show will run from Monday, Oct. 7, through Friday, Oct. 11.