SUMMIT STATION - Shortly after she became Schuylkill County Fair Queen in 2005, Kate E. Kline, Valley View, challenged herself to take on another role at the fairgrounds - fair royalty adviser.
This will be her sixth consecutive year in the volunteer post.
After this year's fair royalty is crowned July 30, she'll turn over her duties as adviser to Jaclyn Hoffman, New Ringgold, the 2007 fair queen, Kline said on Thursday.
"I made the decision. There's a lot going on right now in my life. I just started going for my master's degree and I can't contribute that 110 percent that those girls need," Kline said.
A teacher at Hegins-Hubley Elementary, Valley View, Kline is currently studying for her master's degree in education at Alvernia University, Reading.
"We've been working with Katie the last couple years. We're very proud to see we've had our past queens take an interest in the program," said Paul T. Kennedy, Llewellyn, who was named fair president in September 2011.
In May, Hoffman, 22, earned a bachelor of arts degree in early and elementary education from Niagra University. This summer, she will work as a substitute teacher at Jerusalem Child Care Center in Schuylkill Haven.
"I was her first fair queen when she took over as coordinator and I've been involved ever since," Hoffman said Friday.
One of the challenges the fair royalty adviser faces is finding new ways to get the word out about the competition, Hoffmans said.
"But every year we do our best and hope for a good turnout," she said.
Hoffman will working with Kline on this year's competitions. And they're encouraging young women in Schuylkill County to step up to compete for the royalty crowns at the 29th annual Schuylkill County Fair, which will be held at the fairgrounds July 30 to Aug. 4,
There are three royalty contests: Queen, for young women ages 16 to 20; Princess, for ages 11 to 15; and Little Miss, for ages 7 to 10.
It costs $30 to enter.
"That entry fee has stayed the same for I don't know how many years," Kline said.
Last year, 14 competed for Little Miss, nine competed for Princess and five competed for Queen.
"I thought those were very impressive numbers," Kline said.
Cheyanna Reber, 18, of Schuylkill Haven, was chosen as the 2011 Fair Queen. And Reber's court included Fair Princess Paige Fellows, 14, of Pottsville, and Little Miss Madelyn Rowan, 8, of Auburn.
Those interested in entering this year can sign up by visiting www.schuylkillfair.com and clicking on "Royalty Info." The deadline to enter is July 7.
Events related to the fair's royalty contest are scheduled from July 27 to 30.
From 6 to 8 p.m. July 27, the Schuylkill County Fair Mini Carnival Night will be held at Fairlane Village mall, Pottsville. This is the third year for this event, which Kline started in an effort to give royalty candidates a chance to introduce themselves to the public and help boost the fair's popularity.
On July 28, there will be a private luncheon for the competitors and their families at Stoyer's Dam from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
On the first day of the fair, July 30, on-stage interviews will be held at 3 p.m. with coronation following at 5 p.m.
Traditionally, the royalty competition is held on the M&T Stage at the fairgrounds. Since rains dampened spirits at the 2011 event, this year the competition will be held in the Main Fair Building on the Schaeffer Harley-Davidson Stage, Kline said.
"That way if there is rain, we're covered," Kline said.
The young woman named queen will have the opportunity to compete in the Pennsylvania State Fair Queen Contest, when she will compete against queens from other county fairs for the title of PA State Fair Queen.
The winners of the crowns will also receive cash prizes, Kline said.
"It's based off of what we receive on entry fees. We are unsure of what that's going to be yet," Kline said.