Danielle McBride is new Tiverton Fall Fair ambassador

Danielle McBride is the new Tiverton Fall Fair ambassador, after winning the competition Friday night at the Whitney Crawford Community Centre in Tiverton.

First runner-up is Jada Ellis, while Rachel Eby won the Friendship Award. Joining them on stage were fellow contestants Claire Coenen and Morgan Robertson.

The evening began with Tom Evans, president of the Tiverton Agricultural Society, welcoming everyone to the 154th annual Tiverton Fall Fair.

"This is our opportunity to gather and celebrate the collective skills and talents of our community," he said. "Tonight, we have five beautiful young ladies vying to become the Tiverton Fall Fair ambassador. They are lovely, wonderful people and they would all do a great job representing Tiverton."

He thanked the ambassador committee and all the volunteers who have helped keep the fair going year after year, with particular note to secretary Dianne Todd and treasurer Audel Tuft.

"Now, it's my pleasure to officially open the 154th Tiverton Fall Fair," he said.

There were three contestants for Princess of the Fair, with Averee Haman named the winner; there were no contestants for Prince of the Fair.

MC John Divinski introduced the ambassador contestants who wore casual wear from Baxter's Row Fashion, and later evening wear, also from Baxter's Row, to give their prepared speeches.

The judges, Stephanie Brunato, Dave Inglis and Rob Dixon-Lennett, then retired to a separate room to deliberate.

At that point, the amazingly-talented duo of Thales Hunter, 11, and his sister, Sappho, 7, of Kincardine, performed for the crowd. They were enormously entertaining, singing while Thales accompanied them on the guitar.

Then auctioneer Rodney Ribey took to the stage to auction off the prize-winning pies and cakes, raising $2,180 for the agricultural society. The top price paid was $425 for Laurie Convay's first-prize cherry pie. One of the floral arrangements was also auctioned, with Kincardine mayor Anne Eadie taking it with the highest bid of $120.

Doreen Soloduka of the agricultural society presented $500 bursaries to the 2013-14 ambassador Lauren Eby, and 2014-15 ambassador Kerri Rice. Both are attending University of Guelph.

Kerri gave her farewell speech, noting that when she won the competition last year, she never imagined it would change her life.

"It has been a year of great events," she said, including the convention at the Royal York in Toronto, the CNE, Winterfest, and last year's fair and parade.

She said a little girl came up to her at last year's fair and asked if she was a real princess. "I explained to her what the ambassador program was all about and she figured out how many days until she can be in the ambassador competition."

Kerri thanked The King's Pearl for sponsoring her and owners Stuart and Nancy Alexander for saving the day at the Ripley Fall Fair parade last weekend. She also thanked Laurie Convay for helping her know where to be and when, and introducing her to many people.

"It was a wonderful year and I have so much hometown pride," she said. "I believe I'm a better person for this experience. Thank you all for making Tiverton such a great place to call home."