Fairest of the Fair Kaput

Whoa. The San Diego Fair is dropping the pageant part of the fair — the Fairest of the Fair competition. Instead, they’re going to use:

The competition will be replaced with an expanded intern program in marketing and public relations, open to both men and women.

“I’m concerned about a pageant selecting our spokesperson,” Tim Fennell, the fairgrounds’ general manager, told the board. “We’re in the 21st century, and there are better ways to meet the needs of this organization and the community.”

The Fairest of the Fair contestants were judged in categories including sportswear, evening gown, poise and personality. The winner was a highly visible icon during the county fair’s annual three-week run, and was automatically crowned Miss San Diego County.

The interns who will replace the beauty queen will be college students or graduates with a major or minor in communications. They will assist in all phases of marketing and dealing with the public. There were three interns this year, and the program will be expanded to at least five.

Read the whole story here.