Rice County Fair Ambassadors Crowned

A large crowd In the Cannon River Room on the Rice County Fairgrounds tonight saw the 2023 Fair Ambassadors and Junior Ambassadors chosen.

This is the fourth year of the Ambassador program which replaced a Fair Queen Contest started by legendary KDHL broadcaster Dean Curtis.

I have had the honor of emceeing the Ambassador event after taking stage for the queen contest for a couple decades.

After we got to know the candidates a little better during the program the judges went back to compare notes and make their choices.

Interviews had been conducted with the candidates before the program this evening and the first portion of the coronation program was used as part of the judging.

While the judges were deliberating the 2022 Ambassadors and Junior Ambassadors gave their farewell speeches.

Aly Dupont and Daphne Luckow were Junior Ambassadors.

Hannah Kraft, Monica Albers and Karly Flom the Ambassadors.

All said they enjoyed their year promoting the Rice County Fair.

It was very evident they became close during their trips to various community celebrations in the area.

I asked each their favorite outside the Rice County Fair and received different answers.

Defeat of Jesse James Days, Morristown Dam Days, Faribault Winterfest, Jordan event and St. Paul Winter Carnival.

Named Junior Ambassadors for 2023 were:

• Evelyn Miller, 10-year-old daughter of John and Brandis Miller. Evelyn will be a 6^th grader this fall at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown. Her favorite subject in school is math. Evelyn is a member of Waterville Just For Kix and competes on the lyrical, kick, jazz and hip hop teams. She is also a member of the Warsaw Willing Workers 4-H Club and enjoys showing all of her projects at the fair. Her favorite memory of the fair is showing off her clothing projects at the 4-H fashion review. Evelyn is sponsored by Camp Omega.

• Kaitlen Clark, 9-year-old daughter of Sarah and Jay Clark. Kaitlen will be a 4^th grader at Lincoln Elementary School this fall. Her favorite subjects are reading and writing. Kaitlen has been in gymnastics for 6 years and enjoys showing off her skills. During the summer she enjoys attending STEAM. Her favorite memory of the fair was participating in the Kids Pedal Pull last year.  It was her first time. Kaitlen is sponsored by Grandpa David Grocott and Grandma Merodie Clark.

2023 Rice County Fair Ambassadors chosen included:

• Allison Norton, 17-year-old daughter of Alica and Tyler Norton. Allison will be a senior at Faribault High School in the fall. Allison has participated In many different activities including softball, tennis, speech, FHS science and math teams, theater, and orchestra. In her free time, Allison enjoys reading, hiking and spending time with her friends, family and dog, Zeus. Allison's favorite part of the fair is walking through the barns to see the animals and enjoying all of the food. Allison is sponsored by Flom Disposal.  She was also voted by all the contestants to receive the Friendship Award for being the friendliest of the candidates.

I'm glad I didn't have to judge because all of these young people were terrific.  I think they all would have been a great choice for the honor.

The Rice County Fair Ambassador Committee thanked some sponsors for assisting with making the experience more special.

• Tara Langevin, Faribo Insurance, Past President of the Fair Board
• Design Specialties LLC, Faribault
• Windy Willow Farm Adventure, Northfield
• Godfather's Pizza, Faribault
• Hohrman Crafts, Northfield
• Hy-Vee Faribault,
• On Point Awardsaa, Owatonna
• Judy's Floral Design, Northfield
• Rice County Pork Producers

At the conclusion of their service to the Rice County Fair each ambassador receives a scholarship to be used to continue their education.

The money for the scholarships has been donated by David Gross and Lynne Goldberg.

Gretchen Hohrman does a great job overseeing the program.