The Iowa State Fair commences this week and soon a new queen will be crowned. The Iowa State Fair Queen Pageant is underway with coronation Saturday on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage. This year Washington County is represented by Fair Queen Leah Marek. She says being fair queen is a bit of a family legacy, “Two of my older sisters were fair queens, as well. So it’s very fun to follow in their footsteps and experience the same things they did.”

Contestants in the State Fair Queen Pageant must be between the ages of 16 and 21 and represent a county fair, and per rules cannot be married or have had children. Also, any contestant who has competed at a state fair queen pageant finals previously cannot compete again. Those selected are judged on “personality, leadership, and beauty.”