What a once-in-a-lifetime experience so far! Serving as the 2024 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs has been a dream come true and brought me memories that’ll last a lifetime, a network of amazing people across the state, and so much more. Growing up in a fair family as the fourth generation to exhibit at the fair, I thought I knew a lot about the fair industry. However, this experience has opened so many more doors of opportunities and shown me how complex, amazing, and hardworking the fair industry truly is. I have loved sharing the past, present, and future pieces of the fair story as I serve as an ambassador and advocate for the industry we all know and love.
So, what have I been up to in my year so far?
Throughout my year, I have attended over 15 events outside of fair visits. These events include Fairest of the Fair crownings at the local level, county breakfast on the farm events, and other festivals where I get the opportunity to advocate for the fair industry. In addition to these great community events, I have loved connecting with a variety of audiences to teach and encourage involvement within the fair industry. I led a workshop at the annual Wisconsin State FFA Convention and helped with school tours at World Dairy Expo.
From June 22nd to September 14th, you could find me at one of our many Wisconsin fairs! I was able to proudly visit 61 fairs this summer and soak up every moment serving as the Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs. You’re only Fairest once, so I was excited to take on anything this summer had to offer! Some unique experiences for me this summer included driving a donkey through an obstacle course, attempting to put the cream in cream puffs, judging a pie contest, serving as an auctioneer, trying my best in eating competitions, royal tea parties, holding animals I used to be afraid of like rabbits and chickens, and so much more. At every fair, I was also able to share the fair’s story through one of my #FairestTour interviews. My favorite finding from this summer was how unique and special each fair is, but how the fair values stay the same.
This year’s Wisconsin State Fair was one to remember! I attended my first State Fair at just 4 months old and haven’t missed one since. I loved being a fairgoer growing up riding down the piggy bank slide, watching family and friends exhibit livestock, attending many country concerts, and taking trips around on the SkyGlider. Then I loved being a junior exhibitor showing steers and pigs competitively for 8 years and now I love being an older sister to a junior exhibitor. It was so fun to experience the Wisconsin State Fair in a different light as the Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs. It was a memorable 11 days where I got to try everything and make the most of it. It was also a record-breaking State Fair with over 1,136,800 fairgoers visiting!
I’ve also loved sharing the fair story on social media from my weekly #FairestFridays to the many interviews. Make sure to follow along on Facebook (Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs) and Instagram (@wifairestofthefairs)!
I look forward to the rest of my year serving as the Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs and can’t wait for the “Fair Family Reunion” annual convention in January! I can’t wait to see my very more extended fair family after this summer and continue to advocate for this wonderful industry. Thanks for everything so far, Wisconsin!