Iowa has its new Iowa State Fair Queen.
Elli Blackford of Weldon, representing Clarke County, was crowned the 2024 Iowa State Fair Queen on stage Saturday night by Anne and Bill Riley. Blackford, 18, is the daughter of Ty and De Blackford and will graduate from Clarke Community High School in 2024. She plans to attend Iowa State University in the fall to pursue a double major in animal science and agricultural economics.
She will go home with a crown and sash, a trophy, a crown necklace, $9,000 in scholarships, a $600 Visa gift card, a bouquet of flowers and an Iowa State Fair brick.
After several days of workshops and interviews, she beat 103 other girls in the battle for the title.
Additional Awards for State Fair Queens:
Runner-up: Lauren Long, Appanoose County.
Second place: Nora Pickhinke, Sac County.
Third runner-up: Jada Litterer, Floyd County.
Winner in the “Personality Plus” category: Libby Trewin, Franklin County.
Outstanding leadership: Olivia Hanson, Benton County.
Iowa State Fair Queen Alumni Award honoring Julie Wolterman: Marley Larson, Marion County.
Virginia Barreda is the Des Moines city government reporter for the Register. Reach her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.
