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Editor’s Note: The following story will be included in a Southwest Washington Fair Guide that will be published with the Aug. 12 edition of The Chronicle.
After COVID-19 canceled the Southwest Washington Fair — and subsequently the coronation of a new Little Miss Friendly — 2019 winner Haiden Bartel kept her title for two years. She was the first Little Miss Friendly to do so in the program’s 53 years.
And this year, Bartel — a sixth grader who has her eyes set on Miss Lewis County and a career in pediatrics — will pass on the honor to another young girl who represents the fair with grace and personality.
“It teaches them poise and interview skills and how to talk to people. Plus, community service,” said Little Miss Friendly Coordinator Sue Barlow.
After being interviewed by a panel of judges, applicants will be narrowed down to a group of five. And on Aug. 17, opening day of the annual fair, Bartel will say her goodbyes and welcome in a new era of Little Miss Friendly.
Local event organizer and musician Jerry Owens, whose granddaughter held the position in 2006, will emcee the ceremony.
The “living logo” is unique to the Southwest Washington Fair, and is expected to attend all six days of the much-anticipated fair with her parents, sporting her sash and cape, plus festivals and events throughout the year.
The contest began in 1968 as a way to market the event and boost attendance, according to Julie McDonald’s “Chapters of Life at the Southwest Washington Fair.”
Making a child the face of the fair just made sense: someone cute and bubbly who would appeal to all fairgoers and represent the friendliness of Southwest Washington.
During that first race for the title — which came with a new bike and the original snazzy blue felt cape — over 100 young girls applied, and were judged on poise, personality and appearance.
In 1982, a set of 9-year-old twins were crowned together to serve as Little Miss Friendly: Dana and Donna Plumb.
While the line of young girls clamoring to become Little Miss Friendly is no longer in the triple-digits, the living logo is still a celebrated part of the community and fair decades later.
The youngster attends charity events, parades and festivals, and even sometimes gets to go on the radio. This year, she’ll be at events like Morton’s Loggers Jubilee and other festival favorites.
Here’s a look at past Little Miss Friendlies:
• 1968 — Susan Zimmerman
• 1969 — Sandra Hutchins
• 1970 — Lisa Nelson
• 1971 — Trina Elder
• 1972 — Janice Moe
• 1973 — Katherine Anderson
• 1974 — Brenda Elder
• 1975 — Nani Jackins
• 1976 — Sandra Ruth
• 1977 — Brenda Sines
• 1978 — Lisa Beesley
• 1979 — Julie Briggs
• 1980 — Margarita Roco
• 1981 — Gail Coddington
• 1982 — Cindy Fagerness
• 1983 — Kellee Tyner
• 1984 — Donna Plumb
• 1984 — Dana Plumb
• 1985 — Becki Bailey
• 1986 — Nicole Lunders
• 1987 — Traci Bartley
• 1988 — Katie Parypa
• 1989 — Tricia Piper
• 1990 — Leah Cooke
• 1991 — Katherine Fossett
• 1992 — Christina Ziese
• 1993 — Rachel White
• 1994 — Noelle Nelson
• 1995 — Angela Hansen
• 1996 — Delilah Murray
• 1997 — Brittany Lee
• 1998 — Becky Curfman
• 1999 — Corrine Kress
• 2000 — Kaylie Stanley
• 2001 — Abbey Ferrier
• 2002 — Macy Allaire
• 2003 — Cassidy Boles
• 2004 — Kendall Stanley
• 2005 — Minnie May Price
• 2006 — Bailey Peters
• 2007 — Shasta Lofgren
• 2008 — Gabrielle Wright
• 2009 — Josey Rosbach
• 2010 — Sophia DeTray
• 2011 — Sally Allaire
• 2012 — Madison Mencke
• 2013 — MaKale Mencke
• 2014 — Aubrie Morey
• 2015 — Rachel Gray
• 2016 — Campbell Senter
• 2017 — Reese Coleman
• 2018 — Natalie Butler
• 2019 — Haiden Bartel
2021 Little Miss Friendly Finalists
The finalists for the 2021 Little Miss Friendly contest are scheduled to be announced Friday. They will be in attendance at Music in the Park in Chehalis Friday at 6 p.m. Look for coverage at chronline.com or in Tuesday’s edition.