Heavy is the head that wears the crown, especially when there’s two of them.

Just ask Alex Johnston.

The Oxford High School junior was recently named King of the 2017 Oakland County Fair.

“It’s a big responsibility and I didn’t really expect it,” said Johnston, who was already serving as the fair’s Poultry King. “I was representing the whole fair. It was a lot to take in.”

Wearing his royal trappings of office (i.e. crown and sash), Johnston served as an ambassador of sorts during the fair’s July 7-16 run at Springfield Oaks County Park in Davisburg.

He, along with Fair Queen Aneesa Berryer, 17, of Orion Township, helped judge competitions, attended special functions, rubbed elbows with fair board members and auction buyers, and greeted visitors. They were the fresh faces of the fair.

“Whenever we weren’t tending to our animals or (competing), we had to be walking around, meeting new people and going to all the different little events that happen every day,” Johnston said. “I met a lot of new people this year. I made a few new friends.”

Johnston enjoyed being in the spotlight.

“You feel important. You feel like a leader, like you represent something bigger (than yourself),” he said. “Last year, I was under the radar (at the fair). Nobody knew who I was. This year, everybody was like, ‘Oh, that’s the king of the fair.’”

Johnston is part of the 4-H Poultry Fanciers of Oakland County. He raises chickens for both meat and showing.

Johnston will continue to reign as king over the next year, during which he will be invited to attend various events and participate in area parades.

“We get two sashes because they wear out pretty quickly,” he said. “Mine’s already getting pretty worn out.”

In addition to his crown and sash, Johnston was awarded a traveling trophy upon which his name will be engraved and if he successfully fulfills his royal duties, he will receive up to $150, according to mom Dorothy Johnston.