Dubuque County's Jacqueline Ehrlich Crowned 2017 Iowa State Fair Queen
DES MOINES, IA (08/12/2017) (readMedia)-- Jacqueline Ehrlich, 19, of Dubuque County was crowned the 2017 Iowa State Fair Queen by John Harms, president of the Fair Board. This year's ceremony, which marked the 53nd anniversary of the contest, took place on Saturday evening at the Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi with media sponsor CW Iowa 23.
The daughter of Cindy and Mike Ehrlich of Dubuque, Jacqueline was chosen out of the 103 contestants who participated in this year's competition. All had been crowned queen of their respective county fairs prior to the State Fair.
Kate Curran, 18, of Humboldt County was named first runner-up. She is the daughter of Scott and Lori Curran of Humboldt. Second runner-up was Sydney Hansen, 17, of Bremer County. She is the daughter of Chad and Andrea Hansen of Plainfield. Leah Van Maanen, 18, of Mahaska County was named third runner-up. She is the daughter of Val and Steve Van Maanen of Oskaloosa.
Morgan Fritz, of Worth County, was given the Outstanding Leadership Award. The 17-year-old is the daughter of Teresa Fritz and the late Daron Fritz of Lake Mills. Annie Wallin, 18, of Page County was given the Personality Plus Award. She is the daughter of Matt and Mary Fritz of New Market.
Queen Jacqueline, who will reign for the next year, receives a $5,000 scholarship from the State of Iowa Governor's Office along with a $3,000 scholarship from the Iowa State Fair in addition to her crown, sash and trophy. She also receives a floral bouquet from Boesen the Florist, a $600 gift card to Jordan Creek Mall, a pair of diamond earrings from B. Shannon Designs and an Iowa State Fair Brick from the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation.
The first runner-up earns a $1,500 scholarship and $300 gift card to Jordan Creek Mall; the second runner-up wins $1,000 in scholarship money and a $250 Jordan Creek Mall gift card; and the third runner-up receives a $500 scholarship and $200 Jordan Creek Mall gift card. The Outstanding Leadership recipient wins an $800 Scholarship and a $250 Jordan Creek Mall gift card. The Personality Plus winner receives a $500 scholarship and a $200 Jordan Creek Mall gift card. All members of the Royal Court receive a plaque from the State Fair and a floral bouquet from Boesen the Florist. An anonymous donor graciously provided the Jordan Creek gift cards for the Royal Court.
Judging is based on personality, attitude, awareness, leadership, citizenship, contribution to community, overall appearance, charm and poise.
# # #
Singing and Dancing Away at the Iowa State Fair Riley Competition
DES MOINES, IA (08/12/2017) (readMedia)-- Six talented Senior division acts (ages 13-21) have advanced to the semi-final round in Bill Riley's 58th annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform again on Thursday, August 17, Friday, August 18 or Saturday, August 19.
The names, ages, hometowns and routines are:
Maddie Kirkland, 13, Centerville, IA, Abby Sells, 17, Centerville, IA, Dance
McKenzie Lofgren, 15, Muscatine, IA, Broadway Musical Vocal Solo
Angelle Waltz, 18, Cedar Falls, IA, Vocal Solo
Cassie Morse, 15, Altoona, IA, Dance: Contemporary Solo
Rylie Shettler, 17, Sigourney, IA, Vocal Solo
Gary McCall, 15, Des Moines, IA, Dance: Musical Theater
The Bill Riley Talent Search has put Iowa's young talent on stages across the state each summer since 1960. Nearly 100 local qualifying competitions are held across the state and winners advance to the State Fair competition, where there are seven days of preliminary competition for Sprouts (ages 2-12) and Seniors (ages 13-21), followed by the semi-finals and, ultimately, the selection of one Senior Champion set for Sunday, August 20 at 1:30 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi and media sponsor CW Iowa 23. Bill Riley, Jr. is once again hosting the show.
The first place winner will receive a prize of $8,000. The second and third place winners will be awarded $4,000 and $2,000, respectively. More than $17,000 will be awarded to the Senior and Sprout divisions combined. This year's contest is sponsored by Hy-Vee.
# # #
Dancers and Singers Top Iowa State Fair Talent Search
DES MOINES, IA (08/12/2017) (readMedia)-- Five talented Sprout division acts (ages 2-12) have advanced to the semi-final round in Bill Riley's 58th annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform again on Thursday, August 17, Friday, August 18 or Saturday, August 19.
The names, ages, hometowns and routines of the acts are:
Samuel Fine, 11, Windsor Heights, IA, Dance: Ballet Solo
Lainey Vander Schel, 10, Newton, IA, Chloe Rorabaugh, 11, Newton, IA, Rylinn Peterson, 11, Newton, IA, Emma Noel, 11, Newton, IA, Dance: Jazz Quartet
Gretah K Johnson, 12, Jefferson, IA, Dance: Tap Solo
Addison Behrhrost, 9, Iowa Falls, IA, Dance: Contemporary Solo
Luke Steinkamp, 8, Wall Lake, IA, Vocal Solo
The Bill Riley Talent Search has put Iowa's young talent on stages across the state each summer since 1960. Nearly 100 local qualifying competitions are held across the state and winners advance to the State Fair competition, where there are seven days of preliminary competition for Sprouts (ages 2-12) and Seniors (ages 13-21), followed by the semi-finals and, ultimately, the selection of one Senior Champion. The Sprouts do not compete beyond the semi-finals, but perform in the Championship Show as Sprout Champions set for Sunday, August 20 at 1:30 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi and media sponsor CW Iowa 23.
Each of the six Sprout Champions will receive a prize of $250 after the Championship Show. More than $17,000 will be awarded to the Senior and Sprout divisions combined. This year's contest is sponsored by Hy-Vee.
# # #
Competitors Throw Their Way to a Win in State Fair Horseshoe Contest
DES MOINES, IA (08/12/2017) (readMedia)-- Participants from across Iowa competed in the Open Singles and Farmers' Championship divisions of the Horseshoe Pitching Tournament held Thursday at the 2017 Iowa State Fair.
The Fair hosts both Championship and Open Class competitions every Fair day. Division winners are crowned daily. All Horseshoe Pitching competitions take place on the clay courts just east of Farm Bureau Pioneer Hall.
Complete results below:
OPEN SINGLES
Class A
1) Skip Hills, Altoona
2) Tom Cranston, Keswick
3) Deb Davis, Ankeny
4) John Ridgely, Earlham
5) Leo Toby, New Boston Ill.
Class B
1) Logan Duffy, Norwalk
2) Kenny Wiese, Story City
3) Steve Hatch, Knoxville
4) Caleb Cook, Des Moines
5) Russell Wiese, Roland
Class C
1) Chris Hughlett, New York, NY
2) Rebeccah Davis, Davenport, IA
3) Dirk Braet, Calamus
4) Rick Cook, Des Moines
5) Daniel Braet, Calamus
FARMERS' CHAMPIONSHIP
Championship
1) Ron Rowley, West Des Moines
2) Tom Cranston, Keswick
3) Richard Cranston, Keswick
4) Shirley Sprague, Berwick
5) Chris Jordan, Peru
Class A
1) Sheryl Mason, Grinnell
2) Randy Clark, Monroe
3) John Ridgely, Earlham
4) Steve Hatch, Knoxville
5) Russell Wiese, Rolan
###
Frequently ranked as one of the top events in the country, the Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. Annually attracting more than a million people from all over the world, the Iowa State Fair located at East 30th and East University, just 10 minutes from downtown Des Moines is Iowa's greatest celebration with a salute to the best in agriculture, industry, entertainment and achievement. "Nothing Compares" to State Fair Thrills, August 10-20, 2017. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.
