Wow! What a year Circleville.
I’m forever thankful for the opportunity to serve as the Miss Pumpkin Show 2024 !! This experience has been nothing short of amazing. This title and town will always hold a special place in my heart.
Getting chosen by my school and fellow classmates gave me a sense of accomplishment and pride that I was given this opportunity to represent Teays Valley at the Greatest Free Show on Earth. Feeling so much love and support from my school gave me the strength to do well and hopefully bring the crown back to Teays Valley!
That next week I had received information from the Pumpkin Show and the Circleville Herald and was given a deadline to get headshots done and submit my bio & questionnaire. I was so eager to get everything completed! During my photo session I was sick, once I got them back my mom and I both agreed it didn’t look like me. So back down to Circleville we went, about two days before my headshots were due. I got the pictures retaken, a special thank you to Brad Laxton, the photographer, who got my pictures back to me that same evening. I loved my second round of headshots, so I finished my bio & questionnaire and submitted everything that night.
I then got to work on my T-Shirts and crewneck designs. My mom came up with the slogan “She’s the queen of Fall, crown Zoie Hall.” I loved it! I already knew I wanted to do Purple for my shirts so that part was easy! Now that I had all of that completed it was time to work on my outfit, questions, introduction, and etiquette for the contest! I was blessed with lots of help throughout this process.
To my mom and brother, thank you for being my biggest supporters through the whole process! As soon as I got voted by my classmates to represent Teays Valley, my mom was already on it. Helping me pick out jackets, making sure I looked my best, and always offering to ask me fishbowl questions. Gaige, my brother, was always offering to help where he could, and “judging” me on my answers to the questions. I am thankful to always have you two in my corner supporting me!
To Jeanne Radcliff, thank you for all the hard work you put in to help all the contestants feel confident. I am grateful for the time we spent together and all the Pumpkin Show knowledge you gave me. One of my favorite memories was the fake contest where your front porch was a stage and the previous queens judged us! Your hard work and dedication doesn’t go unnoticed.
To Rita Lewis, thank you for opening your store to me and helping me with just about everythin Ise.. From my walk to the interview questions, you knew how to perfect anything! Your eye fo the smallest details helped me tremendously and I was always grateful for the smallest changes. The drive to Chillicothe twice a week was long but always worth it to see you!
To the Seymour family, I will forever be thankful for the late nights spent in your living room practicing questions or rewatching old Miss Pumpkin Show contests. Mrs. Seymour and Sophia had some of the best knowledge when it came to anything Pumpkin Show. Neal was always there in his recliner, cheering me on when I would practice my introduction and questions. Thank you for the love and confidence you all had for me, some of my greatest memories from this whole experience were spent in your living room.
The night of the contest I felt very ready and confident in my ability to do well. I got ready and we headed down to Circleville. The closer we got, the more nerves started to set in. On our way into the Pumpkin Show to find our parking spot, we turned down the wrong alley. As we went to turn around I looked out the window and one of the barriers blocking off the road was spray painted with 23 really big across it. I then felt a sense of relief, as that was my dad’s lucky number and now mine. My dad passed away in 2019, and it felt like it was a sign from him telling me everything would work out.
We got to the church, and I felt prepared and ready to be my authentic self. The dinner and interviews with all of the contestants was so cool, meeting new girls from the surrounding Pickaway County area After the dinner, we then headed to our cars to go through the parade; I saw so many familiar faces! It was now time to head up on stage, I knew my introduction and was ready for any question. I then anxiously waited to hear the winners, First Maddie was called, and then Emma. Then I heard “There is magic here in the Pumpkin Show tonight.” Next thing I knew he announced “Your 2024 Miss Pumpkin Show Queen is… Zoie Hall from Teays Valley!” I remember jumping out of my seat and running to Sophia, I was so excited! I had dreamed of this moment year after year watching the contest, and it all became a reality! All my hard work had paid off!
As I look back on the Pumpkin Show last year I would like to thank some special people that made this all possible. Thank you Rob, Diana, Calee & Collin for the best Pumpkin Show week ever and treating me like true royalty. Also, Thank you to the Pumpkin Show Officials for all the behind the scenes work and making the Greatest Free Show on Earth happen! Lastly, Thank you to all of my friends and family who cheered me on Wednesday night, whether it was in person or on the livestream! | w never forget seeing everyone I loved in the front row wearing purple!
I have had the best time representing The Circleville Pumpkin Show all over Ohio. I am forever grateful for the friendships and knowledge | gained this year. I have loved traveling every weekend with Rob, Maddie, and Emma. I have also greatly loved the Starbucks runs before every festival (Thank you Robbie)! As my time as Miss Pumpkin Show comes to a close, it has been a true honor representing a place that means so much to me.
Thank you Teays Valley High School. Thank you Pickaway County. Thank you Circleville, for the opportunity of a lifetime!
Zoie Hall – Miss Pumpkin Show 2024
