NEW Fairest of the Fair/Fair Ambassador Program

FREE WITH PAID ADMISSION TO THE FAIR

Tuesday, July 22 | 6 pm

Waukesha County Fair, Fairest of the Fair – Official Competition

Held at the Waukesha County Expo Grounds – Arena Building: 1000 Northview Road, Waukesha

Wednesday, July 23 | 9 am

Waukesha County Fair, Fairest of the Fair – 2022 Official Crowning

Held at the Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum – Grand Ballroom: 1010 W. Main Street, Waukesha

The Waukesha County Fair Association is now accepting applications for the 2022 Waukesha County Fair Fairest of the Fair competition. Any Waukesha County resident, at least 18 years of age on or before July 17, 2019, with Fair experience is encouraged to APPLY.

The Fairest of the Fair or Fair Ambassador is selected on the basis of personality, communication skills, school and community activities, professional appearance, knowledge of, and experience with the Waukesha County Fair. Requirements for the competition include being age 18 by the competition date and having knowledge/experience with the Waukesha County Fair. They will also need to attend at least three parades during the summer of their Fair and attend the annual Wisconsin Association of Fairs conventions, held annually in January.

Everyone is encouraged to apply; applicants can be male or female. If a female is selected, she will be known at the Fairest of the Fair. If a male is selected, he will be known as the Fair Ambassador. The individual chosen in 2021 will serve as the official host and spokesperson of the 2022 Waukesha County Fair, held July 20-24. The Fairest/Ambassador will have an entire year to learn more about the Fair, have increased opportunities to engage with the community, and be mentored by the current Fairest/Ambassador. The process of selecting a Fairest/Ambassador will be applied to each future year as well. This change is fostered by reviewing programs from other Fairs across the State and information provided by the State Fairest of the Fair Program to continue to improve our program, development, and offerings.

Responsibilities of the Fairest/Ambassador include welcoming the public, interviews with the media, announcing special events, judging and participating in contests, and awarding ribbons. Throughout the reigning year, the Fairest of the Fair/Fair Ambassador attends county functions, speaks at community engagements, schools, and clubs, and participates in parades as requested. During the following year’s Fair, the Fairest/Ambassador will be a part of putting together a showcase event on Opening Day (Wednesday) of the Fair. In addition, the Fairest/Ambassador represents the Waukesha County Fair at the three-day Wisconsin State Fairest of the Fairs Competition, to be held in January in Wisconsin Dells. A scholarship for continuing education will be awarded to the Fairest of the Fair/Fair Ambassador at the end of the reign.

2021 Fairest of the Fair

Mariah Richardson of Dousman

Despite the challenges of 2020, we’re incredibly excited to adapt, re-vamp, and continue our Fairest of the Fair program in 2020 for 2021 and beyond. In June of 2020, we held our Fairest of the Fair event and are both excited and honored to announce Mariah Richardson of Dousman as our 2021 Waukesha County Fairest of the Fair! Mariah, 22, is no stranger to the many facets of the Fair. She has exhibited a variety of livestock throughout her tenure in the Waukesha County 4-H program including sheep, goats, swine, dairy, steers, poultry, dogs, and rabbits. In 2015, Mariah was awarded the high honor in livestock exhibitions as the Showman of Showmen winner. She has shown her talents beyond the barns in sewing, knitting, quilting, jewelry making, woodworking, baking, and canning for the last eight years at the Fair as a member of the 4-H program. She has also volunteered in the Milk tent, 4-H Food Stand, Fair pre-event livestock set-up, and so much more. At home, Mariah is continually involved in all areas of her family’s farm. Mariah is currently an active member of the community at home as well as her time away at college. At this time, she is working through her senior year at Valparaiso University. She is majoring in healthcare leadership with a bachelor in science and is looking to continue her involvement with the Fair, her family’s farm, and the community as a whole.

Since June of 2020, Mariah’s roles have been active in connecting with the public, educating the community in showcasing the importance of agriculture at Waukesha County farms, connecting with Fair sponsors, and highlighting the Fair’s events and activities in 2020 as well as leading into 2021. Since the 2020 Waukesha County Fair offered individual day events for both competitive and livestock youth exhibitors, Mariah was a part of these activities, announcements, and welcoming youth exhibitors and their immediate families.

Mariah’s responsibilities as Fairest of the Fair leading up to this year’s July event include welcoming Fairgoers to the Fair, interviewing with the media, announcing special events, introducing entertainment acts, awarding ribbons, and representing Waukesha County in Wisconsin’s Fairest of the Fairs competition in January 2022. The Waukesha County Fair selects its Fairest of the Fair based on personality, appearance, poise, community involvement, and overall knowledge of the Fair. Contestants must live in Waukesha County or participate in a Waukesha County 4-H or youth program. Mariah succeeds Michaela King of Big Bend, our 2019 Fairest of the Fair, and will be awarded a scholarship at the end of her reign.