A Palmerton Area High School junior was crowned the 2024 Carbon County Fair Queen on Monday night as the annual weeklong celebration kicked off its silver anniversary.

Jocelyn Motola, 16, who aspires to attend college in Pittsburgh and become a farm veterinarian, was passed the torch from Palmerton graduate Jayden Gursky.

“It means a lot, especially as the fair is in its 25th year,” Motola said of being crowned queen. “I get to represent my community and all of the people who do so much for our fair and our county. I’m honored and grateful. It feels good to have so much love and support from everyone.”

Motola said she has a passion for helping and working with animals, which is reflected in her active participation in the Mahoning Valley Community 4-H Club and the Carbon County 4-H Livestock Club.

Now, as fair queen, she’s looking to expand her horizons representing Carbon County around the state.

“I’m looking forward to getting to branch out beyond Carbon County,” Motola added. “I’ll be having a chance to work with other fair queens, and that’s a great opportunity. This definitely will help me with confidence and putting myself out there more. There is a lot of work and effort that goes into this, and it feels really good to be recognized.”

The journey to the crown included Motola winning the Andrea & Bob Dunn Excellence Award, with notable projects such as grange cleanup and IronPigs Community Service. Her hobbies include crafts, spending time with animals, and being with family and friends.

The ceremony also celebrated Daphne Gowin of Lehighton, who was crowned Junior Miss. Last year’s runner-up for Junior Miss, Gowin expressed her joy and excitement for her new role.

“I tried for Junior Miss last year, and I was runner-up, so I’m really happy to be crowned this year,” Gowin said. “I’m looking forward to walking around the fair and the little girls looking up at you with awe in their eyes. It’s a great feeling to be a role model for them.”

Outgoing Fair Queen Jayden Gursky shared her reflections on her tenure.

“One of my favorite events I got to participate in was the state fair queen convention in Hershey,” Gursky recalled. “I may not have walked out of there a winner, but I walked out with so many new friendships and memories. Being fair queen means you’re setting an example for people of all ages, and it’s an experience I’ll take with me for the rest of my life.”

The opening ceremony also featured a 25th-anniversary ribbon-cutting and a handful of volunteer awards.

Lily Andreas, a 15-year-old sophomore from Lehighton Area High School, sang the national anthem, setting a patriotic tone for the event.

The evening was highlighted by various entertainment options, including performances by Rick K. Roadtrip, line dancing from DJ Chicken Nugget and a garden tractor pull.

Pyro Joe’s fireworks display, featuring special silver fireworks for the anniversary, capped off the evening at 9:30 p.m.

The fair, which runs through Saturday, is open from 4-10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 2-10 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is $7 for everyone aged 6 years and older.