Miss Ohio to hold meet and greet during Festival

Miss Ohio Audrey Bolte will hold a meet and greet on Thursday, July 5 at Merchants Bank in Hillsboro during the 2012 Festival of the Bells.

Bolte, who was second runner-up in the Miss USA Pageant, is the daughter of former Highland County residents Bill Bolte and Shelly (Johns) Bolte. Her aunt, Mary Bolte Stanforth, is the administrator of St. Mary's Catholic School in Hillsboro.

Festival committee chairperson Michael Bradford said they are excited to have Bolte in town to enjoy all three days of the festival.

"She's going to be meeting with the media and have a meet and greet with the public," Bradford said. "Audrey will be attending the concerts and meeting the entertainment and participating in anything she can while she's here."

Bolte, who Bradford said is an avid runner, will be participating in the festival's July 7 Firecracker 5K Race.

"It's really exciting for us to have her here," Bradford said. "We're very lucky to get her back in town for this event, with her busy schedule. We're very excited to have her spend the whole weekend and meet with the community, now that she's coming back as Miss Ohio. It will be a really great addition to the festival."

The public meet and greet will be held at Merchants Bank in Hillsboro from 1:30-3 p.m. on July 5. Bolte will also be part of the opening ceremonies on the festival's main state at 5 p.m. She will also be part of the Festival of the Bells parade, which starts at 6:30 p.m.

Bradford thanked Stanforth for her help in organizing Bolte's appearances.

"I'd like to thank Mary Bolte Stanforth for all of her help and assistance in working with us to have Audrey Bolte, Miss Ohio, come to this year's Festival of the Bells," Bradford said.