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Iowa State Fair Queen crowns home county queen
Lily Syfert named 2024 Henry County Fair Queen
MT. PLEASANT — Iowa State Fair Queen Kalayna Durr of New London crowned the newest Henry County Fair Queen in her home county, Lily Syfert of Salem, last week.
After a successful reign as not only the 2023 Henry County Fair Queen, but also the 2023 Iowa State Fair Queen, Durr passed the title on to Syfert Wednesday, July 17 in the Wright Pavilion at McMillan Park.
Alongside Syfert, Julie Campbell of Mt. Pleasant earned Henry County Fair Queen First Runner-up. Additional winners of the 2024 Henry County Fair Queen contest include Junior Queen Beatrice Anderson, Junior Queen First Runner-up Libby Meyers, Princess Leah Anderson, and Princess First Runner-up Ezra Lemley.
The 2024 Henry County Fair Queen Syfert is the 16-year-old daughter of Jake and Angie Syfert and will represent the county at the Iowa State Fair this August for her chance to follow in the footsteps of Durr.
Like Durr, Syfert comes from New London Community High School. Like the 2022 Henry County Fair Queen Chevy Mills, Syfert also earned the vote of her fellow contestants and received the title of Miss Personality Plus.
The 2024 First Runner-up Queen Campbell is the 19-year-old daughter of Missy and Jason Campbell from Mt. Pleasant. She currently attends Kirkwood Community College. During her time attending Mt. Pleasant High School, Campbell was the first FFA member in Mt. Pleasant in 30 years to receive her FFA State Degree.
These queens earned their titles after a panel of three judges evaluated them in the areas of volunteerism, community service, leadership, confidence, and the ability to be an active role model.
Outgoing Queen Durr further cultivated all these traits throughout her reign as the 2023 Henry County Fair Queen.
As Durr prepared to pass on the crown, she expressed gratitude for those that pushed her to participate in the Henry County Fair Queen contest to begin with, the Smith sisters for preparing her for the Iowa State Fair Queen Contest, and many others that supported her along the way.
“What seems like yesterday, I was standing on this stage with two other amazing young ladies, nervous as can be, wondering who would be chosen to represent Henry County for the next year,” Durr said. “Somehow my name was called and I got to spend the rest of the Henry County Fair alongside some of the greatest girls I ever met.”
Durr questioned herself along the way, “There is no way a girl that is used to wearing jeans and is usually covered in cow poop is going to be able to just like those girls. I was ready to give up.”
She explained that she chose to continue to be herself, which turned out well for her as she was named the 2023 Iowa State Fair Queen.
“Out of everything I have learned so far and continue to learn every day, here is what I can tell you,” Durr said. “Never take anything for granted. Tell the people you love how you feel, stand up for what you believe in, and always, always, always make sure you eat as much fair food as you can, because you’re going to miss it in a few months.”
“Be yourself,” Durr continued. “There’s nobody better to be than your true and authentic self. I wouldn’t be standing here today with a big ‘ol crown on my head if I hadn’t stuck to this.”
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
