La Plata, MD – Marie Ammar of La Plata was chosen from a field of 10 candidates to become the 2015 Queen Nicotina for the Charles County Fair Thursday, Sept. 17.

“No matter who wins tonight, they are all winners,” Charles County Fair President Charles Gardiner told fairgoers.

Gardiner was as pleased that the event, rained out and sent under a pavilion last year, was held under clear skies in 2015.

“The Dear Lord has sent us beautiful weather,” he said. “There is so much to see at this year’s fair, so much variety. Make your own memories.”

Di Di Hendricks Huber, who delivered the coronation address at the event, was the 46th Queen Nicotina in 1969. She now teaches math at McDonough High School.

“I do remember that night,” she said. “There was 6 inches of mud at the fair. I traded my dress and heels for boots and jeans.”

She said the title of Queen Nicotina, while bringing connotations of tobacco’s role, is a tradition to be honored and carried forth.

“The title is not an approval of smoking,” she said. “It’s about our heritage. Tobacco was a part of that.”

Master of Ceremonies Joe Gardiner told the audience that Louise Stine, who coordinates the event every year, has been the only person who knows who the winner of the contest will be, as that choice is made the Friday before the fair opens.

“She will not share that information with anyone,” he said. “I think she buries the winner’s name in a steel vault in her backyard,” he joked, but then opened the envelopes to reveal that Ammar was the winner.

“I’d like to thank the American Legion for sponsoring me,” Ammar said. “I also want to thank the volunteers who helped with this event.”

Jenna Williams, a senior at North point High School, was second runner-up. She was sponsored by North Point Skills USA.

First runner-up was Lackey senior Amanda Hobgood, who was sponsored by Venture Crew 253.

Other contestants included Anne Elise Bolton of Lackey; Alexandra Bryant of La Plata; La Plata senior Emily Fleming; North Point senior Sydney Gates; North Point senior Gabrielle Gonzales; Breanna Riley of La Plata; and Cheyenne Scott, a North Point Senior.

Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com