Washington Evening Journal
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Queen contestants give goats wash, blow dry
By Winona Whitaker, Hometown Current
Jul. 14, 2024 12:14 pm, Updated: Jul. 14, 2024 6:28 pm
MARENGO — The Iowa County Fair Queen wore jeans, a T-shirt and a crown while she washed her market lambs outside the goat barn on the fairgrounds in Marengo last week.
“I’ll be in a dress later,” said the queen, Hannah Gross, of Amana.
Her uncle raises goats, said Gross. “I only have two.”
Gross also showed poultry and a couple of static projects during last week’s fair. She’s shown poultry since 2019.
“I’ve been involved in 4-H for nine years now,” said Gross. She showed woodworking, which she learned from her grandfather, and exhibited photography and baked goods before branching into livestock.
Gross helps with her family bees, as well. They have five hives. “It’s my supervised ag experience with FFA,” said Gross, “And I show the honey.”
Gross has enjoyed adding livestock to her show pursuits. “I really like being in the large show ring because you meet a lot of people.”
Gross makes new friends every year she shows livestock, she said.
Gross will be a senior this year at Clear Creek Amana High School this fall.
As fair queen, Gross attends the showing of livestock, hands out awards and represents Iowa County in area parades.
She’ll attend photo opportunities and say hello to a lot of children. That’s the best part, Gross said.
Gross will be Iowa County’s contestant at the Iowa State Fair.
“When I was younger, I had a really good experience with the then fair queen, Nicole Wardenburg,” said Gross. Wardenburg acknowledged Gross, who was a child, and that stuck with her and made her feel special, she said.
“I’ve always seen the girls with the dresses. and the crowns,” Gross said, and they are good role models for children. Gross wanted to be that person that the girls want to see.
Inside the goat barn, Brielle Brenneman, another Iowa County Fair Queen candidate, blow dried her goat with the help of her brother Matthew. Brielle, from Parnell, is a member of the 4-H Club, Parnell Peppers.
A 2024 high school graduate, Brielle showed goats and sheep at the Iowa County Fair. Matthew showed pigs and a breeding heifer.
Brielle said she’s been involved with the Iowa County Fair her entire life. “My older siblings have always done it.”
“I love animals,” said Brielle. “I love working with animals. In general, animals make me happy.”