JEFFERSON — Usually the “Fairest of the Fair” is ushered out with pomp and ceremony as one year’s honoree passes on her sash and crown to the designee for the coming year.
With the move of the Jefferson County Fair “Fairest” competition to next year, however, the 2019 “Fairest,” Libby Knoebel, stood on her own as she gave her farewell address following the herdsmanship awards in the final hours of the 167th annual fair Sunday afternoon.
Knoebel, who had been a major presence throughout the fair’s five-day run, playing an honorary role at everything from the Junior Amateur Talent Contest Wednesday to various judging events throughout the week to the official dedication ceremony for the new swine barn Saturday, said the experience has been extremely rewarding and she has been honored to represent the Jefferson County Fair.
Knoebel will be a senior this fall at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, studying animal science and dairy science.
“I’m thinking right now that I want to go into the feed and nutrition industry, but that could change. All I know for certain is that I will have a job in the agriculture industry, and I have my experiences at my home farm and here at the fair to thank for that,” Knoebel said.
“Since I don’t have anyone to pass my crown off to yet, I’m going to give what I would call my ‘farewell’ speech today,” Knoebel said.
“I am not going to be running next year. We will have a ‘Fairest.’ However, we will not have a competition until February,” the 2019 honoree said.
Knoebel’s role as “Fairest” kept her busy at events leading up to the fair as well, as she appeared in countless parades and other events promoting the county fair.
She said she has one more official appearance set this year, at Jefferson County Farm Technology Days. That event will take place July 23-25 at Walter Grain Farms in Johnson Creek.
However, Knoebel said this would be the last time she’d get to speak in her “Fairest” role in front of so many of the people who influenced her to run for this position and who made it an experience she will never forget.
“Looking back on my year, there are so many memories and stories that I will cherish forever,” Knoebel said. “Many of them contain you all in this building — learning about your projects, handing you your ribbon or trophy, taking pictures with you ... everything has impacted me more than I could have ever imagined, and I thank you all for that.”
Knoebel said the Jefferson County Fair has been a key part of her life and development so far, starting when she was a tiny “future showman” at age 3 and continuing through today.
“This fair has brought so many people into my life. I can’t begin to tell you how many people I have met because of this fair.
“Those friends have become my family,” she said. “This fair is a family. The atmosphere here is welcoming and fun. The kids who get the blue ribbons are friends with the kids who get the pink ribbons, and that makes me so proud of all of you. There’s good days and bad days, but in the end, when we all come together, we can do amazing things, and I’ve seen it during this past year.
She said the fair brings many adventures each year, from the trials and tribulations of raising a calf for nine-plus months to camping at the fairgrounds and waking to the sound of garbage trucks at 4 a.m.
“It’s an adventure to run around with your friends, going on rides and seeing concerts,” she said. “Adventures give you memories — memories you will always remember with friends you’ll never forget.”
Fair competition and all of the work leading up to it each year provides countless role models as well.
“The older showmen teach the younger, and sometimes, even the younger teach the older,” Knoebel said. “Everyone works together and learns from each other.
“Someone is always watching,” she said.”Whether that is someone who doesn’t have the opportunity you have to show, or a younger kid who is just starting out, encourage them. Teach them. Help them, “ she said.
“Give them the opportunity that you have and allow them to make some of the memories that you have. You never know who is watching, and remember that what you do and say in the show ring has more of an impact on those watching than you even know.”
Weather always provides for an unpredictable element at each fair, and every fair brings its own challenges, whether it’s consistent downpours or the hottest days of the summer.
“But even with the weather, we still seem to make it the best 5 days, and everyone looks forward to it,” Knoebel said. For some it’s vacation, and for others, it involves more work than their “actual” job.
“Either way, it’s a time of year that you look forward to,” the Fairest said. “On the hot days, and even in the rain, we still have a water fight on Sunday and all the shows still go on.”
Speaking of the rain, or lack thereof, Knoebel said it was time to wrap up her own reign with a reflection on all of the things she was thankful for, including fair officials, volunteers, family and friends who helped her all the way through the process.
“Thanks to my fair friends — everyone who came to my crowning last year,” Knoebel said. “I cannot thank you enough. You guys have been my biggest supporters and I love you all so much. You have helped develop me into the woman I am today. You all have had an impact on my life and I am forever thankful to have met each and every one of you.
She added a special thanks to Kendra Blake, an up-and-coming Farmington All-Star 4-Her who served as the Fairest’s designated hairdresser each day of the fair; to Denny’s Hairstyling and to her makeup artist Paige Kramer, as well as to Fueled Customs and Griffin Ford Lincoln for providing her awesome parade car.
“This year has been incredible. Thank you all so very much. I guarantee this isn’t the last time I’ll be at the fair. I’ll still call ‘Tim!’ really loud on weigh-in day, even if he’s not here, and I’ll still be helping here and there, wherever I am needed.
“I’m so proud to be part of this fair, and I hope all of you are too,” she concluded.