Erin Ryan is 2019 MHC Fair Queen

CRESCO - Erin Ryan of Cresco was crowned the 2019 Mighty Howard County Fair Queen and Ashley Ferrie will serve as princess.

Executive Secretary Tom Barnes announced the winners during the coronation ceremony on Wednesday, June 26.

Before the queen was declared, though, Barnes performed his traditional stalling tactics to stretch out the announcement.

Besides introducing the queen candidates, he presented last year’s queen and princess, Hope Dohlman and Karissa Stika. And mentioned how Fair Board Member Maria Larson is the queen mom.

The past year’s royalty spoke about their experience. Stika exclaimed, “Wow! It has been such a memorable year. My favorite memory was the Czech Days parade. My smile froze and my arm hurt. But I played Bingo and polka.”

Dohlman added, “It’s been an amazing year. Since I was four years old and brought my bottle calf I have loved the Howard County Fair. Now 14 years later, I’m ready to pass off my crown to a new Howard County Fair Queen.” She said she loved the fair so much, she made a short story book about her experience.

In addition to local royalty, the Iowa State Fair Queen for 2018, Hailey Swan of Davis County, was on hand to participate in the crowning ceremony. “Thank you for warmly welcoming me to the Howard County Fair. I met Hope last year. You have a queen who represented your fair very well. My advice for you all is to soak in the fair.”

As is customary, Barnes then asked the girls some questions. Ryan said her favorite part of the fair is “seeing all the kids’ hard work pay off in the 4-H building and how the community rallies behind you.”

Not one to mince words, Ferrie’s favorite part of the fair is showing livestock.

The second question was about mentors. Ferrie said, “My parents have been with me through everything. They helped me along the way, even if I’ve been a little trouble.”

Ryan also felt her parents did a good job of mentoring her. “They’ve been with me through thick and thin. They have always been there when I show livestock and in everything I do.”

At this point in the program, Miss Congeniality is announced. The contestants vote on who gets the honor. Barnes joked, “With only two candidates, they came to me and said they knew how to decide who would be Miss Congeniality . . . rock, paper, scissors!”

After two ties, it was Ferrie who came out on top with scissors over Ryan’s paper.

Queen Erin Ryan and Princess Ashley Ferrie were then crowned. Judges for the contest were Keith Schmidt, Janell Holty Halverson and Tracy Samuelson.

After all the pictures and hoopla, it was time for the new queen and princess to buckle down and start their duties. The remainder of the week, the young women gave out ribbons at the various animal shows and contests.

Ryan will be representing Howard County at the Iowa State Fair, Aug. 8-18.