2022 Tama County Fair Queen Kaylynn Murty (center) pictured with this year’s Tama County Fair Princess Kaylea Duden (left) and 2021 Tama County Fair Queen Frances Jackson (right) on Tuesday, July 12 at the fairgrounds in Gladbrook following the crowning ceremony. –Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Two exceptional candidates vied for the title of Tama County Fair Queen this year – Kaylea Duden of Garwin and Kaylynn Murty of rural Tama. During Tuesday evening’s Opening Ceremony of the Fair held at the fairgrounds in Gladbrook – following a speech detailing the perseverance and courage she’s drawn on through the years to overcome some personal health struggles – Murty, 16, was crowned Queen of the Tama County Fair.

Duden was crowned Tama County Fair Princess. Both received their titles from the 2021 Tama County Fair Queen, Frances Jackson. Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening was 2019 Tama County Fair Queen, Katelyn Kucera. Escorts for the evening were Eric Henry, Clay Hershberger, and Thomas Hulme; Nathan Kucera was doorman.

Murty, the daughter of Tim and Ashley Murty, is the sixth consecutive Tama County Fair Queen hailing from what’s been dubbed the ‘Spanky’s Dynasty’ by owner Mandy Boldt – queen candidates who have worked for Spanky’s Restaurant and Catering which currently operates out of the diner space within the Tama Livestock Auction facility in Tama.

A rising junior at South Tama High School, Murty has maintained a 4.0 GPA during her high school career thus far. Murty’s school activities include volleyball, yearbook, wrestling manager, and FFA. She has also served as her FFA chapter’s reporter and will serve as the chapter’s president for the 2022-2023 school year.

As a member of the Toledo Tech 4-H Club, Murty has served as secretary, vice-president, and most recently president during her seven years with the club. She is also involved in the 4-H County Council.

The 2022 Tama County Fair court escorts including (l-r) Nathan Kucera (doorman), Eric Henry, Thomas Hulme, and Clay Hershberger pictured together on the fairgrounds in Gladbrook moments before the queen crowning ceremony began on July 12 in Gladbrook. –Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Murty is also an active member of the St. Patricks Catholic Church youth group and the Mid-Iowa Youth Beef Team for which she has served as both activities director and secretary.

In her spare time, Murty enjoys working with cattle, babysitting, “hanging out with the crew,” and keeping the community up to date with the most recent happenings inside the Murty Farms Cattle and Hay family business.

Her future plans are to attend Iowa State University to major in Animal Science with an emphasis in either cattle reproduction or animal nutrition.

Both Murty and Duden were judged on July 10, 2022, at the Reinig Center in Toledo. Three impartial judges rated the contestants on Leadership, Citizenship and Contributions to the Community (one-third); Personality and Awareness (one-third); Poise and Beauty (one-third).

Murty will next compete at the Iowa State Fair Queen competition in Des Moines. County fair queens from all over Iowa vie for the title. Judging of the state contest is based on personality, attitude, leadership, citizenship, contribution to the community, overall appearance, charm and poise. The crowning is set for the evening of Saturday, August 13.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. BODEKER

The last time a fair queen from Tama County won the state competition was in 1997 when Rebecca Earles of Traer took home the state crown.

A number of additional awards and honors were given out at the fair’s opening ceremony on Tuesday night ahead of the queen’s crowning including 2022 fair scholarships which went to recipients Thomas Hulme and Aubree Monat, both 2022 graduates of North Tama High School.

2022 Tama County Fair Queen Kaylynn Murty (right) receives a hug from 2021 Tama County Fair Queen Frances Jackson (left) immediately after being crowned queen on Tuesday, July 12, on the fairgrounds in Gladbrook. –Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Kaylynn Murty looks to her family in the audience moments after being crowned the 2022 Tama County Fair Queen on July 12 in Gladbrook. –Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

The 2022 Tama County Fair Queen, Kaylynn Murty, pictured on July 12 in Gladbrook during the queen crowning ceremony held on the fairgrounds that evening. –Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker