Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Ringgold County

This past Sunday the 26th my parents and I traveled to Ringgold County. My mother and I were asked to judge the queen contest. It was held in Mt. Ayr which is in Southwest Iowa just off highway 2. The competition was held at the courthouse on their square. Before the contest we grabbed a bite to eat at the Famous Peggy Sue's which is also located on the square in Mt.Ayr. After we had sat down Jerry Parkin, a member of the Iowa State Fairboard happened to walk in. We gladly welcomed him at our table and enjoyed a great conversation and meal before we went to judge. There were 6 queen candidates running for Ringgold County Fair Queen along with 12 princesses. Jerry Parkin, my mother, I, and another young lady made up the panel of judges for both the princess and queen competition. I felt that it was harder to judge the princess competition then the queen competition. I say this because all the little girls were so adorable and I wanted every single one of them to win. I have a big heart when it comes to young children and I know the 11 girls that don't get it are going to be completely heart broken. We eventually had to come to a conclusion for the princess, she was my favorite and a little go- getter. She will have a great time being princess. I give all the young girls my respect though because at that age I couldn't have imagined doing what they were brave enough to partake in. I feel as if it is a great learning experience just like the queen contest. The queens went through a group discussion, one individual audience question and then a 5 minute individual interview with the judges. All in all they were great young ladies, but only one could win. The young gal that we chose is a very intelligent, reserved, well rounded girl. Ringgold County should be very proud to have her represent their county. It was a great day judging younger to older girls and meeting many great people. Also they day could have not been better as I was in the presence of Jerry Parkin through the whole process :) along with being able to chat and see the 2010 Ringgold County Fair Queen Katelyn Warin. Both of them are wonderful people. We made safe travels back to Marion County in the great weather that Iowa has to offer us right now which is nothing but RAIN. Oh well can't control Mother Nature. You have to love Iowa and the weather that comes with it.

God Bless,
2010 Iowa State Fair Queen
Lacy Stevenson

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Iowa County

Yesterday my parents and I traveled to Marengo, Iowa. Marengo is the county seed for Iowa County, it is located just 30 miles west of Iowa City. I was asked to judge the 2011 Iowa County Fair Queen Contest, it was held at the Iowa County Fairgrounds in Marengo. There were 6 wonderful young ladies running for the title. Myself along with two other ladies judged the girls on many different features such as: speaking ability, poise, character, involvement, exc. The girls went through 3 different interviews, 2 individual and 1 group. The girls were also able to show us around the fairgrounds and give us a mini tour. We were served lunch by the fairboard and the ladies that were helping. It was delicious. We had a hard time selecting a young lady to represent Iowa County. They all had their different traits and pluses about them, but the one selected is a thriving young lady and I know she will be a wonderful person to represent Iowa County. All in all I had a wonderful time and the hospitality was great. I was happy to be a part of all of it and have an impact on choosing the young lady that will be the Iowa County Fair Queen and also participate at the state level. It is going to be spectacular to meet all these young successful ladies this summer. It is awesome to see youth be outstanding in their community, school and extra circular activities. I know that the future will be one to look forward to with all of them being leaders, and difference makers.
God Bless,
2010 Iowa State Fair Queen
Lacy Stevenson

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Iowa Speedway

Yesterday I was asked and invited to make an appearance at the Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. This was really exciting for me as I grew up with racing at the Knoxville Raceway and I am a huge race fan. I had the time of my life at the track yesterday. It was the pride of iowa day there at the track, many agriculture companies and businesses were present. They thought it was neat to tie in the Iowa State Fair Queen being there along with all the agriculture sponsors. My day started at 230 as my parents and I found our spots in the owners suite that had everything furnished for us. The food was excellent. Once we found our seats we then went and strolled around the speedway for a little bit. I then got to be apart of the junior fan club where race USAC driver Levi Jones, who drives for Tony Stewart and myself took pictures and signed autographs for younger kids. Little kids are the best! After that I went to the pork producers tent for a little while to mingle with different people. Then it was time to go to the infield to go through the fan walk. I happened to be in the right place at the right time when I was able to sit in on a press conference with Danica Patrick. This was very neat. To be able to listen to a lady that has succeeded in the racing business and overcome different things really shows anyone can achieve their goals. The fan walk is really cool, it gives the fans a chance to walk town into the pits and see pit road and different things around track. My last thing I was involved in was the pre race program. I was introduced on stage along with the president of the speedway,miss Iowa Speedway, and sponsors of the night. We got to shake all the USAC drivers hands as they were introduced. I then got to experience the racetrack from the spotters place. This is clear at the top of the suites outside. You feel like you are on top of the world and can see the whole track it was completely breathtaking and beautiful. I enjoyed watching the races from the suite with family and friends. I can not thank Iowa Speedway enough for having me be apart of their day. It was amazing.

God Bless,
2010 Iowa State Fair Queen
Lacy Stevenson

Thursday, June 23, 2011

3 Already!

Oh boy have I been busy. I didn't want to leave any fair out so I wanted to share that last Wednesday night I went to the Worth County Fair. This fair was the first in the state to be held this year. The Worth County Fair is in Northwood, Iowa. For anyone who doesn't know where that is it is just straight north on 35 about 3 and half hours from Des Moines. My parents accompanied me; I am really looking forward to spending a lot of bonding time with Mom and Dad, as they will travel with me this summer. Mom will do most of the chaperoning but Dad will tag along when he can. I won't be surprised if Mom kicks me out of the car sometimes to make me walk. :) I was able to tour around the Worth County Fairgrounds and eat dinner with the queen candidates. After dinner the crowning took place where I spoke along with the reigning 2010 Worth County Fair Queen. It was a pleasure to crown the 2011 Worth County Fair Queen, as she was a great gal and will fulfill her duties very well.
This week my mother and I took off and headed north again along with Nancy the navigator. :) Tuesday I was asked to make an appearance at the Mighty Howard County Fair. It is held in Cresco, Iowa which is right on highway 9.This fair will probably rank as one of my favorites this summer. I fell in love with their fairgrounds, as I was very impressed with how well everything was set up. It was great seeing Tom and Sue Barnes; Tom is the president of the Iowa Fairs Association. Both of them are great people. It was also a pleasure to crown their fair queen as well; she is a wonderful girl and will succeed in her reign. I spoke again along with the 2010 Mighty Howard County Fair Queen. I ended the night being able to relax and chat with the Howard County fair board members, this was really interesting as I met new people and discussed different issues. One thing I wanted to share from this fair was that I was looking at all the 4-H exhibits that many 4-Hers worked hard on to present at the fair. One caught my eye that was selected to advance to the State Fair. This was a poster board made from a girl who had a learning disability and it explained different things about the disability. On the bottom of the poster I read a quote from the girl, which stated, "there is no cure for a learning disability, and you don't always out grow it, but it's never to late to get help. I learn differently from other people and that's ok, I focus on meeting my goals." This was very well put, it made me appreciate what I have in life and that other's should feel the same way no matter if they have a disability or not. We are all human and God made us all different and unique for a reason. I was very proud of this girl, as she does not let her disability stand in her way of succeeding in life.
My mother and I bunked up in Cresco that night as we were headed to our next destination in the morning, which was Marion, Iowa. Marion is located in East central Iowa by highway 151 and 13. Of course I found a place to workout that morning, I always have to spend time with my boyfriend at least once a day (my basketball). The 2011 Linn County Fair Queen competition was held in Marion. I was asked to be a judge for this contest. This was my first time judging a queen contest and I absolutely loved it. To know I had an impact on who was selected to represent their county and compete at the Iowa State Fair Queen Competition is amazing. It was great chatting with all the candidates and sharing a little bit of my story with them and the ladies that were also there at the competition. The two other judges and myself choose a very bright young lady, who I know will represent her county very well and succeed at the Iowa State Fair Queen Competition. I was so glad to be apart of the judging process; the queen will be crowned on the first day of the Linn County Fair, which is July 6th.
Nancy led my mother and I through every possible gravel road and highway she could but we finally made it to 80 that brought us home safely. The most comical times will come from my mother this summer getting mad at Nancy, I just laugh as I can not help us getting lost we just have to make the best out of being terrible at directions. These first three appearances I have made have been a blast and I am excited for many more. I apologize that this is so long as I am going to try to get caught up; from now on I will only blog about one event. Hope all is well with everyone.

God Bless,
2010 Iowa State Fair Queen
Lacy Stevenson

Monday, June 20, 2011

A start to an exciting summer.

As the 2010 Iowa State Fair Queen I thought it would be a very neat idea to blog about all my great experiences and duties that I will be enjoying this summer. I felt that many community members, family, and friends would be able to keep up with me this way easier then via facebook, twitter, and other social networks. I want all of you to be apart of my wonderful, busy summer that is ahead of me. All of you have had a part in my life one way or another and by me doing this I feel like I am giving back to all that you guys have done for me. This summer is going to be very unforgettable. I am truly honored to represent one of the world's greatest fairs, sometimes I still become speechless when asked how it has impacted my life, words can not describe how it has. I will be traveling around the state of Iowa this summer making different appearances at county fairs, judging county fair queen contest, and much more. Each day I visit a new fair I want to blog about it. The things I will blog about will be different depending on what I am doing and special occurances that happen thoughout the day. It will be very interesting to blog about each fair because they are all going to be unique in their own way. The 2011 Iowa State Fair will be here before we all know it but for now I am going to enjoy car rides to different counties, wearing a dress and crown, seeing the state of Iowa while traveling and of course blogging to all of you.

God Bless,
2010 ISF Queen
Lacy Stevenson