Fairest of the Fair/Fair Ambassador Program

FREE WITH PAID ADMISSION TO THE FAIR

Presented by Citizens Bank and Waukesha County Farm Bureau

Sponsored by Waukesha Noon Kiwanis and Carroll University with special thanks to the King Family, Pick ‘N Save / Metro Market, and the Waukesha County Historical Society and Museum for their unwavering support

Tuesday, June 25 | 5 pm

Waukesha County Fair, Fairest of the Fair – 2025 Official Competition

Held at the Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum – Grand Ballroom: 101 West Main Street, Waukesha
Judges and Contestants arrive at 5 pm
Public and Families arrive at 6:30 pm

Tuesday, June 25 | Immediately following the competition

Waukesha County Fair, Fairest of the Fair – 2025 Official Crowning

Held at the Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum – Grand Ballroom: 101 W. Main Street, Waukesha

Wednesday, July 17 | 4:30 – 5:30 pm

Fairest of the Fair Royal “Tea” Event

Held at the Leinie Lodge

The Waukesha County Fair Association is now accepting applications for the 2025 Waukesha County Fair Fairest of the Fair competition. Any Waukesha County resident, at least 18 years of age on or before June 1, 2025, with Fair experience is encouraged to APPLY by June 21, 2024.

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 2024 will serve as the official host and spokesperson of the 2025 Waukesha County Fair, held July 16-20. 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.

Applications for our 2026 Fairest Competition will be accepted in 2025.

2024 Fairest of the Fair

Jayden Rather of Waukesha

Jayden has been exhibiting beef and swine at the Fair for over a decade and has volunteered with Little Squealers, Little Britches, Showman of Showmen and the 4-H Kitchen. Beyond the Waukesha County Fair, Jayden graduated from Mukwonago High School as Valedictorian in 2022 and was a scholar athlete all four years of high school. Currently, Jayden attends UW-Madison, where she has achieved Dean’s list for her first two semesters and has hopes to achieve a career in medicine. She is involved in the Pi Beta Phi Sorority as well as numerous medical student organizations including the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA), American Medical Student Association (AMSA) and MedLife. Through these organizations, Jayden has deepened her connections with her college community by raising money for fundraisers, being involved in book drives and other community directed activities. Back at home with the Waukesha County Fair, Jayden hopes to emphasize the importance of local farmers, preserving farmland, raising local livestock and educate about raising local and buying local products. She is looking forward to engaging with the community in Waukesha County and building relationships with both current and future farmers.

1st Runner Up  Amara Bugenhagen
2nd Runner Up  Jenna Schulz
Miss Congeniality  Jordan Keene

2023 Fairest of the Fair

Elouisa Szczech of Wales

Crowned as our 56th Fairest of the Fair, Elouisa Szczech, of Wales, WI has been an exhibitor, participating at the Waukesha County Fair for twelve years. “Ellie,” for short, started her experience with the Fair as a Cloverbud in 4-H and since then, her involvement and passion for the Fair has evolved greatly. Projects such as cooking, photography, showing dairy, and exhibiting poultry are just some of Ellie’s favorite areas of participation at the Fair over the years. With continued opportunities, Ellie was able to exhibit not only on the County level but even more, at the State level representing Waukesha County as a whole. From her continued dedication, Ellie earned the privilege of being sent as a State youth Delegate to Madison to represent Waukesha County as a whole through 4-H. The Fair has been and always will be important to Ellie. From inviting family and friends, setting out Fair signs, to giving a presentation about the history of the Waukesha County Fair and 4-H at her school, her drive to spread awareness and get others involved spans far and wide.