Jefferson County Announces Fairest of the Fair 2025
The Jefferson County Fair Park will be hosting the annual Fairest of the Fair competition to find the one candidate that will represent the Jefferson Community for 2025. The contest honors the tradition which was brought to Jefferson County Fair in 1992.
The Fairest of the Fair is the official ambassador for the Jefferson County Fair, promoting its educational, agricultural, social, and cultural opportunities. Throughout their one-year term, the Fairest represents the Fair and related events including parades, festivals, community gatherings, and radio interviews. This cherished event is made possible with the support of PremierBank, the event’s signature sponsor.
Applications for Fairest of the Fair became available in early November and closed on December 20th. Throughout this process, there are two contestants vying for the title of 2025 Fairest of the Fair: Hanna Brattlie and MacKenzie Thom. Both candidates were members of 4-H and FFA clubs and have participated in many events within the community.
MacKenzie Thom is a Jefferson County local and has been to the Fair every year throughout her upbringing. She has been active in the animal community and strives to help younger exhibitors succeed at showing their animals. MacKenzie is currently in her first year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has aspirations to become a patrol police officer.
Hanna Brattlie is also a Jefferson County local and has been hatching, raising, and showing chickens for 10 years. She has been passionate about working with youth at the Fair and also has a passion for raising her mini lop rabbits. Hanna is currently in her first year at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and has aspirations to work in the meat industry or work with youth.
MacKenzie and Hanna will begin the process on January 10th, which is the first judging day followed by The Coronation Event on January 26th. To determine the ambassador of the Fair for 2025, the Fairest Committee has gathered three experienced judges from different backgrounds to ensure that the Fairest of the Fair is prepared for the year to come.
- Jim Braughler — Jim is a Jefferson County Supervisor as well as a librarian at L.D. Fargo Public Library in Lake Mills. He also spent many years teaching fine arts and social sciences at the high school level. His connection to County Fairs goes back to his early days in Pennsylvania competing in livestock, florals, vegetables, and baked goods. Public speaking was added to the list, and because of his training in 4-H, he now speaks at different state-level events. This year is the first of what he hopes to be many years helping with the Fairest of the Fair.
- Rochelle Mitchell is Vice President/Community Relations & Business Development Officer for PremierBank. Rochelle is a Jefferson County native, and just celebrated her 25th year with the bank. This is the second time she has served as a Fairest of the Fair judge. PremierBank has 6 locations, 4 of them in Jefferson County, and has been the Jefferson County Fair’s Financial Partner for many years.
- Cheryl Ehrke is a seamstress from Fort Atkinson who is also a dairy farmer and worked for 17 years as grade school learning aide. She has been involved with the Jefferson County Fair for 55 years, starting as a 4-H member exhibiting dairy cattle, clothing, home furnishings and arts & crafts projects. Recently she has been a 4-H dairy leader, and superintendent of dairy and cultural arts.
For more information about the Fairest of the Fair program, please contact the Fair Park Office at 920-674-7148 or visit www.jcfairpark.com.
About the Jefferson County Fair
The Jefferson County Fair is a cherished tradition celebrating the community’s agricultural, social, and cultural achievements. The Fairest of the Fair works in conjunction with the Fair Park Staff to boost the events and morale surrounding the Jefferson County Fair.
