Amaya Peterson, right, the 2024 Tama County Fair Queen, pictured on Tuesday, July 16 at the fairgrounds in Gladbrook alongside last year’s Tama County Fair Queen, Adelyn Sienknecht (center) and the 2024 Tama County Fair Princess, Faith Dvorak (left). Peterson and Dvorak were selected for their roles earlier in the evening from a pool of four candidates which included Stella Betts and Ava Monat. They were crowned as the grand finale to the fair’s Opening Ceremony which kicked off at 7 p.m. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

GLADBROOK -Amaya Peterson of rural Gladbrook was crowned the 2024 Tama County Fair Queen this past Tuesday evening at the fairgrounds in Gladbrook. She was vying for the honor alongside fellow candidates Stella Betts of rural Gladbrook, Faith Dvorak of Elberon, and Ava Monat of rural Traer. Moments before Peterson was crowned, Dvorak was announced as the 2024 Tama County Fair Princess.

Peterson received her title from the 2023 Tama Co. Fair Queen, Adelyn Sienknecht, while Dvorak received hers from the 2023 Tama Co. Fair Princess, Emily Hulme.

Both Sienknecht and Hulme along with 2022 Tama Co. Fair Queen Kaylynn Murty teamed up for the role of Mistress of Ceremonies this year.

Candidate escorts included Jayden Beichley, Jay Bru, Ty Guthrie, Mason Hosek, and Ryan Hosek; Wyatt Silhanek was the doorman.

Next up for Queen Peterson is the 2024 Iowa State Fair Queen Pageant held in Des Moines during the Iowa State Fair. The pageant begins on Tuesday, Aug. 6, and lasts through the time of crowning on Saturday, Aug. 10. Judging for the Iowa State Fair Queen is based on personality, attitude, leadership, citizenship, contribution to community, overall appearance, charm and poise.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Peterson, 18, is the daughter of Loni and James Droigk and a 2024 graduate of Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School, while Dvorak, 17, is the daughter of Wes and Megan Dvorak and a rising senior at North Tama High School.

In addition to competing at the 2024 Iowa State Fair Queen Pageant next month, Peterson’s future plans include attending Iowa State University this fall where she will major in agriculture and life sciences education with aspirations of becoming an ag teacher.

In a correction to a story published on Friday, June 28, the last time Tama County garnered four or more candidates for fair queen was in 2021, not in 2015 as was incorrectly reported. Candidates for the 2021 competition included Ellie Behrens of Clutier; Frances Jackson of Garwin who went on to win the title; Rachel Silhanek of Tama; and Hope Werner of Toledo. Tama-Grundy Publishing apologizes for the regretful error.

2024 Tama County Fair Princess Faith Dvorak (left) of Elberon pictured alongside 2023 Tama County Fair Princess Emily Hulme on Tuesday, July 16, at the fairgrounds in Gladbrook. Dvorak was crowned by Hulme as part of the fair’s Opening Ceremony grand finale which kicked off earlier in the evening at 7 p.m. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The 2024 Tama County Fair Queen escorts pictured on the fairgrounds in Gladbrook moments before the queen crowning ceremony including (l-r) Wyatt Silhanek (doorman), Jayden Beichley, Ryan Hosek, Ty Guthrie, Mason Hosek, and Jay Bru. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

2024 Tama County Fair Queen Amaya Peterson (left) of rural Gladbrook pictured alongside 2023 Tama County Fair Queen Adelyn Sienkneckt on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at the fairgrounds in Gladbrook. Peterson received her crown from Sienknecht during the grand finale of the fair’s Opening Ceremony. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER