Nolan Somerlot (runner-up), Mr. Wee Pop Paul Herr, Jr., Miss Wee Pop Krissy Klaiber, and Savannah Guadarrama (runner-up).
From a field of 22 contestants, Paul Herr, Jr. and Krissy Klaiber were named Mr. and Miss Wee Pop 2015 during competition held Saturday morning at River Valley High School.
Two-year old Herr is the son of Courtney and Paul Herr, Sr. of Bucyrus. Klaiber is the daughter of Emily & Kyle Klaiber of Marion. The three-year-old took her age division in Formalwear and Swimwear, as well as overall Costume honors.
Nolan Somerlot garnered the first runner-up position to Mr. Wee Pop. He is the four-year-old son of Kary Kline and Nathan Somerlot of Marion.
First runner-up to Miss Wee Pop is Savannah Guadarrama, the two-and-a-half-year-old daughter of Shaylah Monnette and Allen Guadarrama of Marion. She won her age division in Costume and overall honors in Formalwear (tied) and Swimwear.
The 2015 Wee Pops will be featured on the Main Stage of the Marion Popcorn Festival. They will also ride in the Festival’s Popcorn Parade, and represent the Marion Popcorn Festival at various parades and events throughout the state.
Categories for Formalwear, Costume with a popcorn theme, and Swimwear with a popcorn theme were divided into three age groups: two years, three years, and four and five years. The winners of these divisions, order of age, were:
- Formal Wear:
Age 2: Gracie Walter
Age 3: Krissy Klaiber
Age 4: Kytanna Clark
Age 5: Jillianna Corcoran
Overall (tie): Savannah Guadarrama and Kayann Nelson - Costumes:
Age 2: Savannah Guadarrama
Age 3: Zivah Berry
Age 4: Olivia Tackett
Age 5: Jillianna Corcoran
Overall: Krissy Klaiber - Swimwear:
Age 2: Gracie Walter
Age 3: Krissy Klaiber
Age 4: Dharma Pipher
Age 5: Jillianna Corcoran
Overall: Savannah Guadarrama
Receiving honorable mention category awards were: Emelia Webb, Kayleigh Banks, Bentley Lohr, Izabelle Enderle, Lillian Oswald, Paxton Graham, Cheyenne Jordan, Maddisyn Meade, Lily Callis, and Sophia Raimo.
A separate photogenic contest was held in conjunction with the main pageant, and the results of this event had no bearing on the outcome of the Wee Pop Pageant. Contestants were allowed to enter one or both events. Photogenic awards went to:
Age 2: Kayann Nelson
Age 3: Lillian Oswald
Age 4: Olivia Tackett
Age 5: Sophia Raimo
Overall: Paxton Graham
Businesses sponsoring the event and many of the Wee Pop gifts and awards were: Dollfin Music, Sound and Production, bluefusion Entertainment, Marion Auto Sales, Georgia Mills Carpet, Ready-To-Rent, Precision Auto, Goldrush Jewelers, Take2Studio, Candel’s Renovations, Wal-Mart, Jerzee Drive Thru, The Seiter House, McDonalds (Vince Ebner), Burger King, Wendy’s, Jane Wyatt, and Tom White.
Also contributing were The Columbus Zoo, Zoombezie Bay, The Wilds, Blue Streak Car Wash, Rosa and Rocco’s, Donatos, Papa John’s Pizza, Pizza Hut, Ta Die For Cupcakes, Tubby’s Pizza, L & P Cake, and Marion Flower Shop.
Currently celebrating its 35th year, the Marion Popcorn Festival is the largest popcorn festival in the world with an annual attendance estimated in excess of 250,000 over the three-day festival. Main stage entertainment for 2015 includes Straight On: Heart Tribute Band on Thursday, September 10; country star Rodney Atkins on Friday, September 11, and rock band Warrant on Saturday, September 12. All performances on the Festival’s main stage begin at 8:30 p.m. and are free of charge. A limited number of Kernel sponsorship seats are available for any of the main stage performances by calling 740-383-2076.
Other events include the Popcorn Parade with over 300 units, a popcorn cooking contest, a fine art show, crafts, Popcorn 5000 5K run, Popcorn 100 bike tour, the Community Showcase Stage Hometown Talent Stage, Poppin’ Party Stage, and more.
For more information on the full slate of activities, visit www.popcornfestival.com or call 740-387-FEST. The Marion Popcorn Festival is sponsored in part by the City of Marion.
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