Grace Hardaway was crowned 2024 Greene County Fair queen Wednesday evening at Clover Hall on the Greene County fairgrounds. She will reign over the remainder of the county fair, awarding ribbons and trophies at the various livestock shows, and she’ll represent Greene County at the Iowa State Fair queen contest next month.
Hardaway received a $500 college scholarship from the Greene County Peace Officers Association, which sponsored the queen pageant. She was crowned by 2023 fair queen Elise Badger.
Hardaway graduated from Greene County High School in May. She plans to attend Iowa Central Community College in the nursing program.
Other candidates were Calleigh Fitzpatrick and Addison Gannon. Judges were Alicia Heun, Deb Marquardt, and 2022 fair queen Hannah Curtis. For the first time, those attending the pageant were invited to vote for their choice of queen by putting a kernel of corn in a designated jar. The winner of the kernel voting received 10 extra points in the judges’ rubric. Katlynn Mechaelsen was chairperson.
The inaugural Little Miss and Little Mister contest accompanied the pageant. The contest was open to youngsters ages 5-7, and each paid a $10 entry fee. Five boys and nine girls participated. Each one introduced themself and answered a random question. Winners were selected by a drawing, with Miles Hedges, 5, and Ella Hardin, 5, being the winners.
