Chivers named Contra Costa County fair queen

In our "Neighbors" series, we give you a personal look at the people who are serving your community. If you would like to nominate someone for this column, contact Judy Prieve at 925-779-7178 or e-mail jprieve@bayareanewsgroup.com.

By Roni Gehlke
Lifelong Oakley resident Jennifer Chivers has been attending the Contra Costa County Fair longer than she can remember. When she was 7 she entered her first animal, a salamander, in a fair competition and then continued for years with different animals. When she heard that the fair was looking for the next queen she decided to apply for the position and was excited when she was given the honor last week.

"I've been active in the fair for a long time," Chivers, 19, said.

When she was a child growing up she and her family lived on a one-acre parcel in Oakley that had room enough for a barn and several farm animals. "My brother was entering animals into the fair long before I was. When I joined the Knightsen 4-H I became really involved," she said.
Over the years Chivers said she has entered everything from steers to pigs to goats and a lambs. "I've done the best with the steers and pigs."

No longer an active member of the 4-H, Chivers still is involved by helping other kids with their animals and their fair entries. Her parents still have several animals at home, including some goats and pigs.

When she was younger, Chivers said she also entered other contests in the fair, including "Theme of the Fair" decorations contests, outdoor landscaping theme table set-ups and Table Setting contests.

"I've really enjoyed being part of the fair and participating," she said.

Chivers is a graduate of Freedom High School and attends Los Medanos College where she's studying general education classes while she prepares to transfer to California State University East Bay, to pursue a degree in biological sciences. When she graduates from college she hopes to work in a lab. She says she hopes she will be lucky enough to work in a children's hospital. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her animals, reading and studying anything related to biology and science.

The fair queen competition is not a pageant. The queen is chosen by a board panel based on an interview process to determine which applicant will best represent the youth of the county. The contest is countywide. Besides having to be a Contra Costa County resident, the queen must be between the ages of 18 and 25 and not married.

Aside from holding the title as Queen of the Fair, the winner accepts the role as fair ambassador and is on hand for the fair to help with different aspects of the show.
"Her duties will include helping out with kid's contests, the livestock auction, opening ceremonies and interacting with customers during the fair. She will also make special appearances at community events as an overall spokesperson for the duration of her yearlong reign," said Fair representative Wendee Williamson.

In addition to the Queen's tiara, sash and cash award, Chivers will receive a gift donated by the Antioch Lion's Club. This year's fair theme is "It's a Blast" and takes place from May 28 to May 31.