Chehalis' Rachel Gray, the 2015 Little Miss Friendly, gets mobbed after wing the honor at the Southwest Washington Fair Opening Ceremony on Tuesday Evening at the fairgrounds in Chehalis.
The 2015 Little Miss Friendly, Rachel Gray, gets a hug from her grandfather, Major Gray, after the ceremony on Tuesday evening at the Southwest Washington Fair in Chehalis.
Rachel Gray, right-center, is announced as the 2015 Little Miss Friendly at a ceremony on the South Stage at the Southwest Washington Fair on Tuesday evening in Chehalis.
While Aubrie Morey, the 2014 Little Miss Friendly of the Southwest Washington Fair, said she enjoyed her reign, she was happy to pass the cape to this year’s living logo.
Out of this year’s five finalists the judges chose 10-year-old Rachel Gray, of Chehalis, as the 2015 Little Miss Friendly on Tuesday evening.
“It feels great,” Rachel said after she was caped.
“I think that she was a pretty good choice,” Aubrie said, adding that at the interviews before Tuesday she already knew Rachel should be the next Little Miss Friendly.
As the only girl in her family with five older brothers, her parents were happy their little girl won and are looking forward to supporting in her in role as Little Miss Friendly.
“She’s all smiles and is polite to people. She’ll have fun with it,” her father, Wayne Gray, said.
Rachel’s family has been in Lewis County for decades and they all enjoy the fair, Wayne Gray said.
“I’m very excited for my daughter,” Rachel’s mom, Pia Gray said. “It’s a great opportunity to represent Lewis County and the Southwest Washington Fair and that’s what it’s all about.”
Pia Gray also said the contest was a great way for Rachel to make new friends with the other finalists.
Rachel and the other dress- or skirt-clad contestants — Courtney Pinkerton, Kassandra Ritchey, Zoe Rone and Cameron Sheets — waved to the audience, flashed their smiles and answered final questions from the judges at the fair before the winner was announced.
Rachel said when they called her name she was surprised and it took her a moment to realize that she had won.
She is looking forward to meeting new people and having fun, she said. Rachel will be at the fair every day as the official hostess.
“I think she’ll do a fantastic job,” Aubrie said.
She also hopes Rachel will share some of her free corn-on-the-cobs that she gets as Little Miss Friendly.
“Come and do it,” Rachel said, as to advice for any girls interested in entering the contest next year. “It’s really fun. It’s a fun experience.”
