Amaya Peterson, the 2024 Tama County Fair Queen, pictured on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, 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. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Miss Amaya Peterson, 2024 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.

Peterson, the daughter of Loni and James Droigk of Gladbrook. She attended Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School. Her activities have included volleyball, FFA, 4-H, Choir, musicals, National Honor Society, Student Council, and Softball. She has served as 4-H president, secretary, reporter, and historian as well as FFA junior advisor and reporter and student council president. In her community, Peterson attended the 77th Iowa American Legion Auxiliary Girls State and was an active member of the Green Mountain United Church of Christ. She is currently finishing up her first year at Iowa State majoring in agriculture and life sciences.

The Tama County Fair Queen Committee is taking applications for the 2025 Tama County Fair Queen. The contest is open to girls who are at least 16 years of age but not more than 21 on August 8, 2025.

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 July 13. The Tama County Queen will be crowned on Tuesday, July 15,  at the Tama County Fair. The 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, the Tama County Extension Office, or any of the Tama County high schools’ guidance offices.

Application forms must be completed and postmarked no later than June 1, 2025.