What's a Fairest got to do with it?

For the past year I have been the Waupaca County Fairest of the Fair. Most of you are probably thinking what is that? Here is my best description: the best job ever.

As a fairest of the fair you serve as an ambassador for your county fair. This year I attended numerous story hours at area libraries, rode in many parades, wrote and recorded public services announcements, and competed for the state title of Fairest of Fairs.

Have a mentioned yet that I get to dress up and wear a tiara? It makes the job even better.

I was a 4-H* member for about 12 years. I showed cows, pigs, and took many projects to the fair every year. Fair for me is close to Christmas on the excitement scale. I patiently waited every year for the competition, the food, and the friends. I was involved in many projects and areas. Some of my most treasured memories and lessons learned are from a fair season.

Some of the things I learned at county fairs over the years: 1) Hard work and dedication pay off. 2) Chocolate shakes are not a sustainable breakfast. 3) When walking a cow, don’t wear flip-flops. 4) Some people aren’t cultured enough to know what a cow is…let alone a goat. 5) Catching-a-pig contests are a blast and can be won by putting a pig on a barrel in 14 seconds with two teammates.

With that knowledge you can now understand why becoming the 2010 Waupaca County of the Fair was like landing my dream job. The fair is close to my heart so when telling people how fun it was and that they should come - it was easy because I meant it.

It is so bittersweet to think the year is coming to an end. As I reflect on how many people I met this year as Fairest of the Fair, I don’t even think I can count that high (bad humor).

My encounters:
I met a little girl at the June Dairy Breakfast who was fighting with her brother. She asked how she could be a “princess” like me. I replied, “You have to be nice to your brother.” She quickly gave her brother a hug and smiled at me.

I also met a woman at that same day who had MS. Her daughter was with her and was very surprised when I asked if I could sit by them. It was down pouring rain outside making it a gloomy day but this woman was so optimistic and kept telling me it was going to get sunny. Her daughter told her repeatedly it wasn’t going to stop raining, but low and behold it stopped raining before I left.

A girl at the New London St. Paddy’s Day Parade yelled to me, “Lady, you are pretty.”

A woman who works with the carnival company at the fair came up to my mom and told me I was so professional looking and appreciated that. She also said that she travels a lot of fairs and thought that just by watching me she could tell I liked what I do.

At the state competition I was asked by the judges how organized I was. I replied with, well I like to think I am pretty organized. I have a planner that keeps me on track, but if I would lose it it would be a very hairy situation. I had forgotten that a judge’s name was Harry. Feeling awkward I said, no pun intended Harry! Harry, a man who plays Santa during Christmas time, busted a gut and almost lots his milk and cookies.

Norman was a man I met while at the Scandinavia Corn Roast. He was working the Historical Society part. He sat outside and asked if we had any questions. We struck up a conversation, and soon we had chatted for about 20 minutes. He was the cutest old man and when I asked to take a picture with him and his wife, you should have seen the grin that spread across his face (it was bigger than the one he has on his face below).

Christine Lindner, the 63^rd Alice in Dairyland was one of my favorite people I met. At the state competition I was named first-runner-up. She came up to me and without saying a word she hugged me. I don’t remember what she specifically said but it was along the lines of no matter what you do you will be great at it. You have so much ahead in the future, go find it. After coming in second place those were perfect words to hear.
Even though my title will be passed on, my memories will stay with me. This year has meant the world to me. These people gave me a little taste of what it means to make a difference in someone’s life. They obviously have impacted mine, and I will take them with me as I attempt to make a difference in someone else’s.

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” ~William James


　*Don’t know what that is?
 http://www.4-h.org/