Minnesotaís newest Princess Kay of the Milky Way will be crowned in ceremonies beginning at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 25 at the Minnesota State Fair Band Shell.

The new princess will be the 51st young woman to wear the crown.

Princess Kay serves as the official goodwill ambassador for Minnesotaís dairy industry and the stateís nearly 6,000 dairy farmers. The program is sponsored by the Midwest Dairy Association-Minnesota Division to help promote the dairy industry and its products.

Two Houston County women, Katherine Hagen and Jody Jetson, will be among the candidates. They are both from Spring Grove.

Here are their profiles:

ï Katherine Hagen, 22, Spring Grove. Daughter of Paul and Catherine Hagen. Katherine is studying Bible and history with a minor in music at Northwestern College in St. Paul. Activities: Northwestern Handbell Choir, Political Science Club, College Republicans, church worship team and Bible study leader. Hobbies: being outdoors, playing piano, playing sports, working with church youth group, hanging out with friends.

ï Jodi Jetson, 20, Spring Grove. Daughter of Harold and Louise Jetson. Jodi is a student at Coe College in Iowa where she is majoring in political science and music. Activities: Student Alumni Association, Student Senate, concert choir, Mu Phi Epsilon, intramural sports. Hobbies: intramural sports, singing, playing piano, reading, stitching.

Both women also like to attend barn dances.

The current Princess Kay is Tae Vander Kooi of Worthington in Nobles County. She will pass on the crown to one of twelve county dairy princesses who are vying for the 2004-2005 title. The coronation serves as a kickoff to the Minnesota State Fair, where Princess Kay and the other finalists make numerous public appearances.

One of Princess Kayís first official duties after her coronation is to sit for nearly eight hours in a rotating cooler on opening day of the fair while her likeness is sculpted in a 90-pound block of butter. The eleven other contestants will also have their likenesses sculpted in butter throughout the remaining days of the fair. The butter is processed by Associated Milk Producers, Inc. of New Ulm.

During her yearlong reign, the new Princess Kay will take part in public appearances, promotional events and media interviews. The twelve candidates were chosen from a field of about 80 county dairy princesses during a statewide competition held in May. Princess contestants are judged on their general knowledge of the dairy industry, communication skills, personality and enthusiasm for dairy promotion.

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