Miss Honorary Fire and Rescue Chief In and Out of Town Pageant Winners

More than 160 people cheered on contestants at Saturday night’s Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival’s 2026 Miss In & Out of Town Honorary Fire and Rescue Chief Pageant presented by Trex.

The title of Miss In-Town was awarded to Molly Maynard, 16, sponsored by the Gore Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, who will lead the Firefighters Parade in the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival on May 1. Molly’s ambition is to pursue a career in nursing.

Natalie Rasmussen, 17, was selected from a field of six as the 2026 Miss Out of Town Honorary Fire Chief. She represents the Toms Brook Volunteer Fire Department. Natalie plans to attend Shenandoah University to major in Exercise Science. 

The annual contest, held at James Wood Middle School, put the contestants through categories ranging from dress for success, or business-wear, and evening gowns, to sharing a personal statement about their ambitions, who they admire, and how they represent their fire company.

During the pageant, the contestants are escorted on and off the stage by representatives from their respective fire companies.

The Miss In-Town runner-up went to Bella Walters, 17, who represented Middletown Volunteer Fire and Rescue.

Lillian Campbell, 19, representing Elkton Volunteer Fire Company, was named the Miss Out of Town runner-up.

The 2026 In-Town Contestants are: Alexis Brown (Gainesboro), Bella Walters (Middletown), Madison Langley (Clear Brook), Paige Littman (Round Hill), Sophia Aquila (Greenwood), and Molly Maynard (Gore).

The 2026 Out-of-Town Contestants are: Emmy Courtney (Stanley), Natalie Rasmussen (Toms Brook), Ava Slovinsky (South Morgan), Alexis Forbes (Woodstock), Lillian Campbell (Elkton), and Trinity Thomasson (Front Royal).

Co-chair Kelly Menk added, “This year’s participants set a high bar. Their energy, commitment to service and pride in their fire companies made this a memorable and competitive event.”