2018 Little Miss Friendly Natalie Butler, 8, walks to the Saloon Stage with her family Tuesday night before being officially named as the pageant winner.
2017 Little Miss Friendly Reese Coleman, 10, passes on the cape to 2018 Little Miss Friendly Natalie Butler, 8, Tuesday night at the Southwest Washington Fair.
2018 Little Miss Friendly Natalie Butler, 8, left, poses with 2017 Little Miss Friendly Reese Coleman, 10, right, after being ‘caped’ Tuesday night at the Southwest Washington Fair.
Natalie Butler, 8, reacts Tuesday after learning she would be the 2018 Little Miss Friendly.
Natalie Butler was all smiles Tuesday as a cape was placed around her shoulders, making her 2018’s Little Miss Friendly for the Southwest Washington Fair — and the 50th in the event’s history.
“I felt happy and really glad to be Little Miss Friendly,” said the beaming 8-year-old from Chehalis, following a seemingly endless parade of hugs and photographs following her “caping.”
Little Miss Friendly, which was first awarded in 1968, serves as the “living logo” of the fair, and spends fair week handing out stickers and greeting visitors. Butler and the other four finalists have spent the last several weeks attending local events to promote the fair. Now that she’s earned the title for the rest of the year, Butler will continue to be the fair’s ambassador at local gatherings throughout the year.
“The parades,” Butler said, when asked about her favorite events to attend. “I got to hand out candy to kids.”
She conceded with a laugh that she’d gotten some of that candy herself.
Tuesday’s ceremony was attended by more than a dozen former Little Miss Friendly winners, as well as pageant queens from throughout the county. Outgoing Little Miss Friendly Reese Coleman reflected on her year in the role and thanked everyone who helped her along the way.
“My year as Little Miss Friendly has been incredible, and I want to thank you all for sharing it with me,” she said.
Coleman said she made many new friends at the festivals and parades she attended in the community.
Before Butler was announced as the winner, each of the five finalists answered a final question. Nicholle Valentine, 9, of Napavine, said her favorite ice cream flavor was cookie dough. Butler said her favorite animals at the fair were reptiles. Amanda Linwood, 10, of Centralia, said her favorite fair ride was the Viper. Genevieve Buss, 9, of Chehalis, said her favorite school subject was reading. Avery Garner, 8, of Chehalis, drew big applause when she said her favorite summer activity was attending the fair.
Fair Association President and event emcee Jerry Owens said all of the contestants on the stage are winners, and noted all the work that volunteers — including Little Miss Friendly coordinator Sue Barlow — put into the event.
“This is a big task,” he said. “It’s something that’s worked on all year long. A lot of preparation, a lot of work goes into it.”
After being named the winner, Butler thanked her fellow contestants.
“They were also really friendly, and they will always be friendly,” she said.
Looking ahead to her year as Little Miss Friendly, Butler said she believed she was up to the busy schedule.
“It kind of looked hard, but I think I can power through it,” she said.
