Amaya Peterson, the 2024 Tama County Fair Queen, pictured on Tuesday, July 16 at the fairgrounds in Gladbrook following her crowning. Peterson, who hails from rural Gladbrook, was selected from a pool of four candidates for the honor during the fair’s Opening Ceremony. Moments before Peterson’s crowning, 2024 Tama County Fair Queen candidate Faith Dvorak (not pictured) was crowned this year’s fair queen princess. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

GLADBROOK – The Crowning of the 2024 Tama County Fair Queen took place on Tuesday evening, July 16, at the Tama County 4-H Fairgrounds in Gladbrook.

Mistresses of Ceremonies for the evening were 2022 Tama County Fair Queen, Kaylynn Murty, 2023 Tama Counry Fair Queen Adelyn Siencknecht, and 2023 Tama County Fair Princess, Emily Hulme.

Candidates for the 2024 competition were Amaya Peterson, daughter of Lone and James Droigk from Gladbrook, Stella Betts, daughter of Nick Betts and the late Jodi Betts, Faith Dvorak, daughter of Megan and Wesley Dvorak, and Ava Monat, daughter of Amber and Jeremy Monat.

The girls began the process with applications due June 1st. A workshop was held later in June at Tama Livestock in Tama to prepare the girls for judging. Convertibles provided by the Shriners, carried the girls in the Corn Carnival parade.

Judging took place on July 14 at Traer United Methodist Church. Judges were Leah Ries from Earlville, Dr. Samantha Bissen, from Grundy Center, and JoAn Headington from Decorah. The girls took part in a group discussion led by 2023 Tama County Fair Queen, Adelyn Siencknecht, daughter of Randy and Melissa Siencknecht from Garwin. They were also interviewed individually. After a short break, a wonderful luncheon was served by the Buckingham Boosters 4-H Club.

Amaya Peterson, right, the 2024 Tama County Fair Queen, pictured on Tuesday, July 16 at the fairgrounds in Gladbrook alongside last year’s Tama County Fair Queen, Adelyn Sienknecht (center) and the 2024 Tama County Fair Princess, Faith Dvorak (left). Peterson and Dvorak were selected for their roles earlier in the evening from a pool of four candidates which included Stella Betts and Ava Monat. They were crowned as the grand finale to the fair’s Opening Ceremony which kicked off at 7 p.m. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Before the luncheon, the girls gave a 3-5 minute speech that they prepared from a list of choices provided by the committee. The girls and their guests were excused and the judges retired to make their decision. Their choices for queen and princess were sealed in envelopes that were opened at the crowning ceremony.

2022 Queen, Kaylynn Murty welcomed the crowd of spectators and thanked those who made the evening possible. Sponsors included Tama County Fair Board, State Bank of Toledo, Tama Florist, Peace Church of Gladbrook, Buckingham Boosters 4-H Club, Farmers Savings Bank & Trust-Traer, El Luna Co/Katee Kupka, Assured Partners, Mid-Iowa Coop, The Farmers Daughter, Brit Marie’s Country Boutique, Next Generation Ag, Nucara-Traer, Mandy Lekin Real Estate Agent, Tama Livetock, Rugged Edge Cuts, North Tama Vet, Ashley Dvorak with Farm Life Designs, Monat Construction, Melanie Wagner, Real Deals/Marshalltown, Raymonds Station, , Dollar Fresh, Katie Kupka/El Luna Co, Brick a Brack, It’s Better Freeze Dried, Deb Kupka, Sharon Knoop, and Spa S.

Queen Adelyn, then joined Kaylynn and Emily at the podium. Convertibles were provided by Grant Strohbehn, Brett Miller,and Mitchell Hoefling. They introduced the candidates one by one with their escorts. Escorts were Jayden Biechly, Ryan and Mason Hosek, Jay Bru, Ty Guthrie with Wyatt Silhanek being doorman. Each candidate presented her speech to the crowd.

Then came the moment the crowd had been awaiting, crowning the 2024 Tama County Fair Queen. The sealed envelopes were then opened revealing the judges results.

Amid cheers from the crowd, the envelope was opened revealing Amaya Peterson, had been chosen to serve as the 2024 Tama County Fair Queen. Adelyn, was presented the crown, sash, gift bag and her bouquet of roses.

The 2024 Tama County Fair Queen escorts pictured on the fairgrounds in Gladbrook moments before the queen crowning ceremony including (l-r) Wyatt Silhanek (doorman), Jayden Beichley, Ryan Hosek, Ty Guthrie, Mason Hosek, and Jay Bru. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Faith Dvorak was crowned Princess and was presented a sash, tiara and gift bag.

Watch for Amaya at the State Fair beginning August 8th. The crowning will take place Saturday, August 11th at 7:00 pm on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage.

2024 Tama County Fair Princess Faith Dvorak (left) of Elberon pictured alongside 2023 Tama County Fair Princess Emily Hulme on Tuesday, July 16, at the fairgrounds in Gladbrook. Dvorak was crowned by Hulme as part of the fair’s Opening Ceremony grand finale which kicked off earlier in the evening at 7 p.m. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER