Ipswich Woman Crowned Mrs. Essex County

TOPSFIELD, MA – Meagan Sousa clenched the 2017 Mrs. Essex County crown with her food, poise, and personality on Sunday.

Sousa, of Ipswich, will represent the Essex Agricultural Society at local events and serve as the ambassador of the Topsfield Fair. Contestants in the Mrs. Essex County Pageant must be married and living in Essex County with their spouse, and at least 18 years old.

Meaghan Shelton of Rockport was named Mrs. Congeniality, and first runner up. Melanie Simard of Ipswich was named second runner up.

At each competition, contestants are asked to make a specific food item to be judged. This year's pageant theme was "Your family's favorite cookie." Sousa made Lunchbox Cookies (chocolate chip oatmeal raisin). The top three scoring cookies are below:

1. Melanie Simard – White Chocolate Cherry Macadamia Nut Cookies
2. Alison Turpel – Welsh Cookies
3. Meaghan Shelton – Pumpkin Snickerdoodles