Carstens crowned 2024 Fair Queen

Bailey Carstens was crowned the 2024 Adair County Fair Queen during opening cermonies to this year’s event, held Wednesday, July 10 in the gazebo on the fairgrounds.

The daughter of Kyle and Lisa Carstens, Carstens said it is an honor to have the opportunity to represent her county.

First runner-up was Chloe Rardin, the daughter of Josh and Lisa Rardin. Miss Congeniality was Ava Ford, the daughter of Gary and Melissa Ford.

Carstens will be a senior this fall at Nodaway Valley High School, where she’s active in volleyball, FFA, student council and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She’s also an officer for the Nodaway Valley FFA chapter and the Washington Stars 4-H Club.

“This is awesome. It’s super exciting,” Carstens said. “I’m very excited for what the future holds. Being able to be queen of the Adair County Fair and represent well, I’m very excited.”

Winning the title of Little Miss for the fair was Alexis Dreher and winning Little Mister was Benjamin Moyer. They joined Carstens at numerous functions throughout the fair, introducing themselves to the grandstand crowd each evening and handing out ribbons, trophies and plaques at many contests.

Before Wednesday’s opening ceremonies even happened, static exhibit juding, the dog show and rabbit show had already taken place.

Thursday featured the horses, swine, poultry and clothing event, capped off by a truck and tractor pull in the evening.

Friday’s events were highlighted by the sheep show, dog agility, bucket/bottle calf and lamb show, show stock buddies show and Senior/Veterans Day. The evening brought Figure 8 races back to the fair after a several-year break.

Dairy goat and beef exhibitors were in the show rings Saturday. There were also many kids events, like the pedal tractor pull and baby contest. There were communication projects being given such as extemporaneous speaking, working exhibits and Share-The-Fun. The evening culminated with Extension staff Caroline Savage and Terri Raasch winning the Pie in the Face Contest and the demolition derby.

Sunday featured barbecue foods from Farm Bureau’s cookout contest entrants, long pigtails, young children showing livestock for the first time, arm wrestling and the livestock sale. A rodeo capped the evening with several locals participating.

“Overall, the fair was a great experience. The number of exhibitors for both static and livestock projects was better than expected with all that our county has endured,” said Savage, who oversees Adair County’s 4-H program. “With a total of 163 Adair County 4-H members, we had 27 first-year members this year, and I am so proud of their hard work and dedication. Our week was full of some great shows, and some full barns. This Adair County Fair was a week to remember. Now it’s time to rest, relax and start preparing for next year.”