The Wisconsin Association of Fairs held their annual conference in the Wisconsin Dell Jan.7-10 at the Chula Vista Resort. During the convention representatives and fair enthusiasts gathered to learn and network in the many presentations and meeting forums available.
In conjunction with the convention is the Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs competition. This year there were 36 county Fairest of the Fair representatives vying for the honored title of 2018 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fair. In this position the selected candidate will travel around the state of Wisconsin visiting with many of the 76 Wisconsin county and district fairs. The Fairest of the Fairs also has the opportunity to represent the Wisconsin Fair industry at all 11 days of the Wisconsin State Fair.
During the Wisconsin Association of Fairs Awards Banquet the 2017 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs, Rebecca Starkenburg Bader will crown the next Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs. After the preliminary portion of the Fairest of the Fairs competition Farm Assistant Jenna Lee was able to sit down and chat with Rebecca about her year journey as the 2017 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs.
“There are many words to describe my year as Fairest and the word I would use is absolutely amazing,” said Starkenburg Bader. “It was a great roller coaster ride getting to meet so many people through out the state of Wisconsin.”
Rebecca was able to travel to 40 of the 76 state aided Wisconsin county and district fairs. Through all of her travels her favorite memory as Fairest was being an inspiration to her mentee in the livestock project.
“One day at the Wisconsin State Fair I was on my way to my car when this girl who I mentored told me I need to see something before I left. I went with her and saw on the outside of the Case IH Coliseum there were a row of animals with the youth exhibitors biggest inspiration on them. And on one of the animals had my name. It was such an inspiration and an amazing moment to see that I impacted that exhibitor so much so that she thought of me above everybody else,” said Starkenburg Bader.
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When asked if she had any advise for the 2018 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fair Rebecca said,
“Hold your memories close, and keep a journal. I didn’t but I wish I had. This experience is amazing and life changing it certainly has changed mine.”
The 2018 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fair will be crowned on Jan. 10 during the Wisconsin Association of Fairs Annual Convention. Check in to the Fabulous Farm Babe Facebook page to see who will take home the title of 2018 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs.
For more information on the current Fairest, Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs program, and the Wisconsin Association of Fairs visit, https://www.wifairs.com/