Makenzi Marek (second from left in black and white) is crowned the 2017 Washington County Fair Queen. Photo by News Assistant Sam McIntosh

Seven contestants were on the stage Sunday when one was named the 2017 Washington County Fair Queen and the name called was Makenzi Marek.

She took some time out of her busy week to speak with KCII News Wednesday and shared what it felt like to be crowned, “Amazing. I didn’t bring as many animals this year and I was kind of bummed out, I was like, ‘I don’t have any goats, I don’t have any sheep.’ But I think in the end it kind of worked out, so now I have a lot of time to be at everything else I need to be at.” In May Marek graduated from Washington High School and this is her last county fair as a member of the Jackson Jets 4-H Club. She can be seen on the fairgrounds clad in sash and crown helping in many ways from emceeing contests to handing out ribbons, in between showing her own livestock.

Each county’s fair queen will compete at the state fair next month in hopes of becoming the Iowa State Fair Queen. Marek adds she’ll start preparing for the State Fair next week, but took this week to simply enjoy and be a part of the Washington County Fair. For photos from the queen contest visit KCII Radio’s Facebook page. Each county’s fair queen will compete at the state fair next month in hopes of becoming the Iowa State Fair Queen. Marek adds she’ll start preparing for the State Fair next week, but took this week to simply enjoy and be a part of the Washington County Fair.

For photos from the queen contest visit KCII Radio’s Facebook page and check out the KCII Big Red Radio at the fair.