Gloomy skies and a stormy forecast didn’t keep a large group of Iowans from gathering at the Anne and Bill Riley Stage as they awaited the crowning of this year’s Iowa State Fair Queen.
The audience of friends, family, and fans hooped and hollered as 103 county fair and expo queens graced the stage on Saturday, Aug. 15, some donning bright colored gowns and others wearing dresses that caught what light was still filtering through the clouds.
Each county queen waved with one arm, a single flower in the other, while smiling big grins with a glimmer of hope and excitement in their eyes.
The 2025 Iowa State Fair Queen, Riah Schrage, of Grundy County, riled up the crowd, speaking of what being the Iowa State Fair Queen means to her.
“I’m just as excited as you guys to hear who has won,” Schrage said to the queens who were awaiting the big reveal. “After an amazing week at the Iowa State Fair last year, I traveled about 13,000 miles around the state of Iowa visiting 74 different county fairs and singing the national anthem about 30 times.”
“But my goal for this year was simple,” Schraeg continued, hinting at what’s to come for the 2026 Iowa State Fair Queen. “Say yes to everything and rest when it’s over.”
And rest she will after crowning this year’s queen.
As clouds got darker, the coronation moved faster. And as soon as rain began to sprinkle down on the Iowa State Fair grounds, the 2026 queen was crowned.
Who was crowned the 2026 Iowa State Fair Queen?
Belle Werner, of Tama County, wearing a light blue dress, walked across center stage full of emotion while Schrage replaced her county fair crown with the crown jewel of the Iowa State Fair and a large purple sash emblazoned with “2026 Iowa State Fair Queen.”
The newest queen marched and waved across the stage, hand on her heart, before gathering for a big group hug with the other queens. She was quickly whisked away for pictures with family, friends and Gov. Kim Reynolds.
Werner did not give a speech because of the impending rain that shortened the Iowa State Fair Queen coronation.
Additional Iowa State Fair Queen awards
First runner-up: Jillian Dammann, Page County
Second runner-up: Jillian Hanson, Benton County
Third runner-up: Eliza Schmidt, Dallas County
Personality plus winner: Anita Scholten, Warren County
Outstanding leadership: Birigid Bonner, Crawford County
Iowa State Fair Queen Alumni Award in honor of Julie Wolterman: Allison Gruntmeir, Lee County
Riah Schrage, of Grundy Center and representing Grundy County, was crowned as the 2025 State Fair Queen.
How is a State Fair Queen selected?
Judging for the queen is based on personality, attitude, awareness, leadership, citizenship, contributions to the community, overall appearance, charm and poise, according to the fair’s website.
The selection process can be rigorous. After being crowned at their respective county fairs, the girls and young women, ages 16 to 21, must submit their resumes and state why they want to be queen to qualify. Many contestants have extensive resumes that include participation in Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4-H. Some are involved in music and the arts, others in sports.
Kyle Werner is the breaking news and public safety reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@registermedia.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Tama County girl named 2026 Iowa State Fair queen
Reporting by Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
