NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. (RVO) by Cecelia Harmon – On September 20th, the 24th annual Peanut Butter Festival will kick off as six young ladies from the community take the stage at Gumtown memorial park to learn which among them is to be crowned the 2019 Peanut Butter Festival Queen. The queen will have many festival duties including helping out at the chamber tent, handing out awards, introducing events, and riding in the parade along with the 2019 Runner-Up Queen, the 2018 Retiring Queen, and the rest of her court. The queen and runner-up will receive $2,000 and $1,000 scholarships, respectively, graciously sponsored by J.M. Smucker PA, Inc.

From left to right: Elizabeth Brooks, Hallee Sayers, Natalie Harmon, Carly Over, Brianna Minich, Brynn Rearick *Photo courtesy of Judy Williams

This year’s queen will be selected based on performance in three different categories: written essay, poise and appearance, and individual interview. The written essay was completed during July at the Redbank Valley Public Library. The essays were scored by anonymous judges. The individual interview and the poise and appearance portions both take place on September 3rd at the New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church. These portions are scored by a panel of judges. 

This year, six young ladies are in the running for Peanut Butter Queen:

• Elizabeth Brooks
• Natalie Harmon
• Brianna Minich 
• Carly Over
• Brynn Rearick
• Hallee Sayers

Many local businesses donate items and gift certificates that are put together into “Goodie-Bags” for the queen’s court. These were presented immediately following the individual interview. 

This year’s donors are:

• Be Beautiful Salon
• Charles Leach 
• Clarion County Community Bank
• Cuts & Curls Hair Styling Salon
• Debz Twisted Scizzors
• Dougherty Real Estate 
• Joan’s Creative Cuts
• Joe’s Pizza
• Lacy’s Country Cuts
• Laura Neiswonger Thirty One
• Leader Vindicator
• PA Great Outdoors Visitor Center
• S&T Bank
• J.M. Smucker PA, Inc.
• Subway
• Valley Flowers and Gifts
• Village Pizza
• WRC 
• Zack’s

Thank you to all of the sponsors of the Peanut Butter Queen Festival Scholarship contest!

Thank you to Judy Williams and the New Bethlehem Civic Club for all of the time and dedication given to this contest.

The crowning will be held at 6 p.m. on September 20th at the Gumtown Memorial Park stage. In the event of heavy rain, the crowning will be moved to the New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church on Penn Street. For our long distance community members, family and friends, the queen crowning will be livestreamed on Facebook.com/PeanutButterFestival courtesy of TechReady Professionals. If you miss the crowning, you can be sure to cheer on this year’s queen, runner-up, and her court during the Peanut Butter Festival Parade at 3 p.m. on September 21st on Broad Street. 

For more information about the contest, please visit the Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce website:
RedbankChamber.com/PBF-Queen-Contest

For a full schedule of Peanut Butter Festival Events, please visit the Festival website:
Redbankchamber.com/pbf-schedule

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MEETINGS:
Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce meetings are held the 2nd Thursday of each month at 12 noon, at the Redbank Valley Public Library on Broad Street. Folks may contact the Chamber’s office to be placed on the meeting agenda.

MISSION:
The mission of the Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce is to represent the interests of our members and the Redbank Valley business community by:

• Facilitating strategic partnerships for the benefit of our community
• Educating the community on the benefits of economic development
• Advocating for local and regional competitive economic vitality
• Promoting civic leadership and community engagement

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES:
To learn more about the Chamber’s Events & Activities, please visit: RedbankChamber.com/category/events Or visit their Facebook page please Facebook.com/pg/rvchamber/events

BECOME A MEMBER:
To become a member or view the Chamber’s membership benefits, please visit: RedbankChamber.com/members

CONTACT:
If you’re interested in volunteering or getting involved, please contact the Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce at 814.275.3929 or [email protected]. You may also ‘like/follow’ the Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce on Facebook for the latest news/announcements: Facebook.com/RVChamber

For more info, please visit the Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce website: RedbankChamber.com