South Tama Junior Kaylynn Murty, pictured, is the current Tama County fair queen. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Miss Kaylynn Murty, 2022 Tama County Fair Queen has been representing Tama County at fair activities, parades and other activities throughout the year. Her reign will soon be coming to an end.

Murty, the daughter of Tim and Ashley Murty, is the sixth consecutive Tama County Fair Queen hailing from what’s been dubbed the ‘Spanky’s Dynasty’ by owner Mandy Boldt – queen candidates who have worked for Spanky’s Restaurant and Catering, which currently operates out of the diner space within the Tama Livestock Auction facility in Tama.

A rising junior at South Tama County High School, Murty has maintained a 4.0 GPA during her high school career thus far. Murty’s school activities include volleyball, yearbook, wrestling manager, and FFA. She has also served as her FFA chapter’s reporter and will serve as the chapter’s president for the 2022-2023 school year.

The Tama County Fair Queen Committee is taking applications for the 2023 Tama County Fair Queen. The Contest is open to girls who are at least 16 years of age and not more than 21 on Aug. 10, 2023.

The Tama County Fair Queen Contest is judged in three distinct areas: Personality, Community Involvement and Leadership, and Poise and Beauty. Contestants do not have to be 4-H members but need to be active in at least one community group.

Contestants will participate in a queen contestant workshop in June. Photos for publicity purposes will be taken at this time. Contest judging will take place in July. The Tama County Queen will be crowned on Tuesday, July 11 at the Tama County Fair. First place winner will receive an all-expense paid four day trip to Des Moines to represent Tama County in competition with other candidates for the title of Iowa State Fair Queen.

Prizes include gift certificates, t-shirts, complimentary photos and gift bags for all candidates and a $500 scholarship for the Queen.

The Tama County Fair Queen Committee would like to encourage young ladies in Tama County to participate in this competition for the chance to proudly represent Tama County at the Iowa State Fair.

To request an application, please contact Mandy Lekin at 641-751-3021 or the Tama County Extension Office or Tama County high school’s guidance offices. Application forms must be completed and postmarked no later than June 1, 2023.