Ever since she was a little girl, Bailey Schneider has dreamt of becoming the Warren County Fair queen.
It was not the carnival rides or the livestock auction that Schneider looked forward …
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Ever since she was a little girl, Bailey Schneider has dreamt of becoming the Warren County Fair queen.
It was not the carnival rides or the livestock auction that Schneider looked forward to every year. It was seeing the queens. Every year, she followed them around inspired by them and became their best friend for the entirety of the fair.
As of Sunday night, the dream Schneider has had since she was five years old became a reality. Out of the seven girls participating, Schneider was crowned the 2024 Warren County Fair queen.
“It feels surreal,” Schneider said. “I am absolutely blessed and I think anybody deserved to be in this crown because they all did amazing.”
Schneider and her family used to live in Iowa, but would come up to the fair every summer, which initiated Schneider’s ambition of becoming a queen one day.
“It was like a holiday for them, so it became a holiday for me too,” Schneider said. “The Warren County Fair is honestly bigger than Christmas for me.”
Realization hit Schneider when she became the last one standing as Maddie Dent was announced first runner-up. Schneider clapped for Dent and then all the built-up anticipation from the months prior washed over her and she broke into a huge smile.
Her smile got bigger once they officially announced her as this year’s queen. Former fair queen Kelsey Miller placed the crown on Schneider’s head and handed her a bouquet of flowers.
“It’s an amazing feeling. I am very grateful and very blessed,” Schneider said. “I want to congratulate all six of [the other contestants] because they are amazing.”
Nicole Benne was second runner-up and Bailey Love was named Miss Congeniality. Being named queen has meant more to Schneider than just a crown. Not only was it a childhood dream of hers, but it was something that has helped her in the real world.
“It boosted my confidence in being able to communicate with people in interviews,” Schneider said. “It’s going to help me because I’ll be able to connect with so many people.”
Schneider is looking forward to the fair starting on July 3 and inspiring other little girls who were just like her 13 years ago.
“I looked up to every single fair queen before me. They were like a Disney princess to me,” Schneider said. “Being able to be that to another little girl and inspire them to become fair queen one day is something I am very excited for.”
