Lebanon — A Boone County tradition marks its 50th anniversary this Saturday, when nine women will compete for the title of Mrs. Boone County.
Ann Graham was named the first Mrs. Boone County, although her title was Miss Liberty, in 1959.
Between 16 and 18 women entered the event, Graham said.
Fund raising for the Salvation Army, the Heart Fund, Community Chest and other organizations at that time was done by women volunteers, going door to door, Graham said.
The Miss Liberty title was chosen by the 1959 Fourth of July committee “to pay tribute to people who did volunteer work,” she said.
After interviews at the Lebanon Elks Lodge, which then was on West Washington Street just off the Square, five finalists where chosen, Graham said.
“The queen was not named until just time for the parade to start,” she said. The finalists met on the courthouse square, where she was crowned by then Mayor Max Edwards. “I had no idea I would be Miss Liberty,” Graham said.
“I rode on a convertible during the parade, and that was the end of my celebration,” she said.
In 1960 the festival committee “just decided to continue the honor,” changing the title to Mrs. Boone County.
“The tradition has been carried on just as a thank you for volunteerism,” Graham said.
Since that first convertible ride, the duties of Mrs. Boone County have expanded to a year-long series of appearances.
“It’s been busy and exciting,” said Karla Peebles, 2007 Mrs. Boone. “You meet a lot of good people.”
“It’s an honor, an absolute honor, growing up here and then being named Mrs. Boone County,” she said. Being recognized for accomplishments in the community is also an honor, she said.
Linda Jones, Mrs. Boone County 1998, has “wonderful” memories of her tenure.
“I made a lot of good friends,” she said. It was an honor to be chosen to represent an organization, and more of an honor to be selected, she said.
All of the candidates were worthy, she said. “Any person could be picked on a different day.”
The contestants meet at several parties before the event, including a rehearsal dinner the night before the contest. Jones said going to the Fourth of July events as Mrs. Boone County was “a wonderful experience.”
“I loved every minute of it,” she said.
Rosie Holloman, the 21st Mrs. Boone, said she was invited to events outside the county, as well as to the Boone County 4-H Fair and area festivals.
“Through the year I was invited to everything that went on,” she said, including judging the Pork Queen contest at Tipton.
“And they’ve become more involved since I was Mrs. Boone,” she said. “There are a lot more things to do; I’m sure the new queen will be invited to many things.”
All but three of the Mrs. Boone Counties survive; Ruth Isenhower, Kay Newman and Beverly Sloan are deceased.
This Saturday, previous title holders will be introduced during the contest.
“We’re all going to wear black dresses and our tiaras,” Holloman said.
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Contest celebrates 50th anniversary
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