Golf Clubs and Headshots

Who said that county fairs would be the only duty of the Iowa State Fair Queen? This past Friday I spent my day at the Iowa 4-H Foundation's Fundraiser Golf Tournament at Emerald Hills in Okoboji socializing with some very awesome 4-H supporters. This was the first year for a golf tournament in Northwest Iowa for the Foundation, but there were more than enough teams there to support my favorite organization and some friendly competition!


I got to spend some time with Mr. Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, who was also the "Celebrity Golfer" for the day. Why they didn't pick the girl with the sparkly crown, I'm not sure! Kidding! However, I got to drive around the golf course with my new found buddy Mr. Bob Butcher. I'm so glad he trusts me driving a golf cart! I guess it is good practice for the Iowa State Fair this year! I also got to meet Miss Greenbelt, Heidi, who is the intern with the Foundation this summer. Later on this year she will be competing for the Miss Iowa Pageant. We got to share the duties of auctioning of items late in the day. It was a great event and I hope it continues on for years to come!

 Mr. Bill Northey making a putt on the "Celebrity Golf Hole" at Emerald Hills. 

 Bob Butcher and I on our "royal golf cart."

My week wasn't yet finished. This morning I also got to feel like a little celebrity at a photo shoot at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds. The area extension is doing promotions for the county fairs with my face on them! Pretty cool, but the best part was stopping at Grandpa and Grandma Ohlrichs house afterwards. Grandma offered to make me lunch, and for a high school kid during the summer...it sure beats Kraft Macaroni and Cheese! Thanks Grandma! 


This weekend I'll be headed to Quimby, Iowa to participate in their watermelon days parade. My best friend Kayla Foresman will be my escort. Can't wait to update on how that goes! Have a wonderful week :)

First Weekend=Success

I hope this summer lasts forever...I had such a blast judging my very FIRST county queen contest this afternoon and riding in the Sioux Center Celebration Days parade last night. Dad came along as my chauffer today and enjoyed his stops along the Case IH dealerships as we drove south to Ringgold County. We also got the chance to quickly meet up with my very good friend Dakkota Druivenga, Miss Montgomery County Fair Queen, in Red Oak before the judging began.

It took about four and a half hours, but we finally made it to Mount Ayr and I met six wonderful queen contestants and the most adorable group of seven-year-old girls vying for the "Princess" title. I had the honor of listening in on the little ones' favorite summer activities, colors, and movies. Some even showed us their best funny face or dance move. Needless to say, they all deserved a crown and sash! The six girls competing for the queen title were all outstanding! Crowning isn't for a few more weeks so I can reveal no details. All I can say is the Iowa State Fair Queen competition this year will be tough!

My Dad has always been a fan of taking the "back roads" of Iowa on trips like this and of course, this was no different. I will give him credit; however, he managed to find a restaurant that serves "Iowa's Best Burger" on our way home. We stopped in Coon Rapids to test out Coon Bowl III's famous beef...it lived up to its name! I have a feeling Dad will manage to scope out the best tractor dealerships and fast food joints by the time this summer is over!

Let the Fun Begin!

It has almost been exactly one year ago that my "queen experience" began! No, not the crowning at the Iowa State Fair in August that many would assume, but the judging that I participated in O'Brien County. I never would have guessed that a year later I would begin traveling around the state of Iowa to begin judging other county contestants to start their own "queen experience."

Throughout the year, I have experienced so much already and I want to keep everyone updated about all the "Queen Happenings" that are scheduled for this summer! My year has been filled with parades, appearances, and greasy-filled foods so far and that will only continue. This weekend I will be showing off my wave at the Sioux Center Celebration parade on Saturday night and going south to Ringgold County to judge a group of girls vying for their county crown.

As this chaotic and eventful summer begins for me, feel free to follow my blog and check on all the happenings. I can't wait to share my stories with you!