Fairest of the Fair
2024 Fairest & Jr. Fairest of the Fair
Calumet County Fairest of the Fair Official Photographer: Penny Benzschawel, Tin Cat Alley Studio. Thank You for your Sponsorship!
If you would like the Fairest / Junior Fairest of the Fair to attend your event, Please contact Deb Stebane at 920-850-6826 or ccffairest@gmail.com.
Fairest of the Fair Biographies
2024 Fairest of the Fair
2024 Fairest of the Fair, Emily Boll is the official hostess of the Calumet County Fair and she invites you to join her for “Tails on the Tailgate” Labor Day Weekend! Emily returns to the role, as she was the 2018 Junior Fairest of the Fair. This time she is leading the trail promoting the “Biggest Little Fair in Wisconsin''!
Emily is the daughter of Dan and Kris Boll of Chilton. She has an older sister Lily, a brother-in-law Dustin, and a faithful English Springer Spaniel, Ginger. Emily will be a Senior at Chilton High School in the fall. She is active in school as an Honor Roll Student with a 4.0 academic GPA, member of the National Honor Society, member of Sources of Strength, and a member of SHARE – selected to assist kids with special needs. She is also the Student Leadership Marketing Director at the Engler Center for the Performing Arts.
In the future Emily plans to attend college for either Elementary Education or Business Management. She plans to minor in dance and continue pursuing her love and passion for the sport.
As a 12-year member of the Chilton Tip-Top 4-H Club, Emily has served in office as the Reporter for several years. At the fair she has enjoyed exhibiting photography, cakes, and other projects since she was a cloverbud!
Emily shares her passion for dance as an instructor at New Attitudes Dance Company and as a co-coach for the Kiel Middle School dance team. She enjoys participating in musicals and had the lead role in ANNIE in the Calumet County Community Theatre the year before her reign as 2018 Junior Fairest of the Fair. She more recently performed as “Beth” in Little Women and held countless other roles throughout her school years. In her free time she enjoys dancing, camping, snowmobiling and being crafty. She spent 12 years studying piano and continues to enjoy dance lessons at New Attitudes Dance Company for over 8 years, where she has competed in various dance competitions. Her favorite styles of dance include contemporary and jazz. She is an active member of Faith Alliance Church in Chilton where she participates in their Youth Group, assists in the Nursery, leads worship music for the youth in AWANA, and has traveled to Atlanta to participate in a mission trip to work with refugees from various countries.
As part of her time as Fairest of the Fair, Emily traveled to area libraries promoting a "Rides for Reading" program she developed in which kids could visit the library, read books and earn free ride tickets for the fair! Emily would like to share her love for the fair with you this Labor Day weekend. Reflecting on her experience as the 2018 Junior Fairest of the Fair, Emily said, “I learned many valuable lessons and made lasting connections. I am now excited to have another chance to connect with others who share my love for the Calumet County Fair.” She enjoys making the fair a fun and educational experience for everyone. Join Emily and celebrate “Fair by Day, Festival by Night” at the Calumet County Fair!
2024 Calumet County Junior Fairest Of The Fair, Lea Nora Koch, is eager to share the events of the Calumet County Fair with the community as the official junior hostess. Every year she looks forward to the fair and this year is special as she has been promoting “Tails on the Tailgate” for the “Biggest Little Fair in Wisconsin’.
Lea is 11 years old and the daughter of Alex and Kelly Koch of Kaukauna. She has a younger sister Ellie and a family dog named Boone. Lea attends Riverview Middle School in Kaukauna and will start 6th Grade the day after the fair. She participates in Art Club and is a member of the basketball team through Kaukauna Girls Basketball Association. In the future, Lea is interested in attending college studying to become a special education teacher.
Lea is going on her fifth year as a member of the Woodville Stars 4-H Club and has enjoyed showing projects at the Calumet County Fair, which include: painting, crafting, sewing, wheat weaving, macrame, and cake decorating. She is most proud of the five merit awards she has earned for her various projects. This year she will be exhibiting her chicken for the first time, along with numerous arts and crafts.
Lea’s favorite thing to do is read and she has earned a position on the State Team for Battle of the Books. In her free time she enjoys sketching, designing outfits and sewing them. She also enjoys playing the violin in the Middle School Orchestra and has been taking lessons for one year.
Lea and her family are active members of St. John Lutheran Church in Woodville where Lea has attended Sunday School and is looking forward to being a Sunday School assistant this year. She is currently attending catechism and enjoys fellowship with her church family.
Lea notes that she “enjoys inviting family and friends to the Calumet County Fair each year to show them her projects and invite them to participate in all the fair activities. She has enjoyed sharing her love for the fair by promoting the fair to everyone in the community and is looking forward to greeting you all Labor Day weekend.”
Join Lea at the Calumet County Fair, Labor Day Weekend for “Tails on the Tailgate” celebrating “Fair by Day, Festival by Night” at the Biggest Little Fair in Wisconsin.
2023 Fairest of the Fair
Crystal Thiel, the 2023 Fairest of the Fair, is ecstatic to be the official hostess of the Calumet County Fair and invites everyone to join her in “Livin’ it Up” Labor Day Weekend! The fair has been the highlight of her summer since she began showing there about a decade ago and she hopes to see many new and returning faces at the "Biggest Little Fair in Wisconsin" this year!
Crystal is the daughter of Doug and Janice Thiel of Hilbert. As a graduate of Brillion High School, Crystal participated in Swim Team, Drama Club, Spanish Club, Yearbook Committee, Project Unify, and Forensics where she was a Gold Medal Holder at state level. Crystal is currently a Lifeguard and Swimming Instructor at the Brillion Community Center.
In May, Crystal graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood-Middle Childhood Education. During her time at college, Crystal was an active member of campus organizations Aspiring Educators and DREAM (Disability Rights, Education, Activism, and Mentoring), the latter of which she served as president this past academic year.
Crystal was a member of Calumet County 4-H for 11 years. As a member of Sunset Lake 4-H Club, she had served in positions such as secretary, vice president, and president. As an exhibitor at the Calumet County Fair, Crystal has shown rabbits, hogs, beef steers, and many arts and crafts. Crystal attended Camp Bird and eventually went on to be a camp counselor at Camp Upham.
In her free time, Crystal enjoys swimming, reading, and spending time with her three siblings: Melody, Brittany, and Austin.
Crystal reflects on her Calumet County Fair experiences; “My fondest summer memories are of my siblings and I goofing off in the barns and spraying each other with water hoses after bathing our steers - I mean, working diligently with our projects - and the Fair was the moment when we and other exhibitors would get to shine. The Calumet County Fair really is a community coming together to celebrate our individual accomplishments and personal interests whether it be in agriculture, food, or arts and crafts. The fair has provided me with many wonderful memories and opportunities. I would encourage any youth or adult interested to get involved either as an exhibitor or as a volunteer.”
Crystal looks forward to helping everyone celebrate “Fair by Day, Festival by Night” at the Calumet County Fair!
2023 Calumet County Junior Fairest Of The Fair Abby Meyer, is so excited to “Livin' It Up” with all of you at the Calumet County Fair! The Calumet County Fair is one of Abby’s favorite summer events. Every year she enjoys showing her dairy cattle and market hogs, along with bringing arts and crafts, photography, and foods to the fair. Abby is the 14-year old daughter of Larry and Jennifer Meyer, and has two siblings, Brianna, and Austin. She lives on her family’s dairy farm Jenlar Holsteins and Brown Swiss, where they milk about 120 cows.
Abby loves that she has been able to grow up on a dairy farm and be part of the dairy industry. Abby competes at Junior Holstein Conventions at both the state and national level, for Dairy Bowl and Dairy Jeopardy (being quizzed on her dairy knowledge) and the Prepared Public Speaking Contest.
Abby is involved with many clubs and organizations. These include Chilton Tip-Top 4-H club (where she is currently serving as the secretary), Wisconsin Junior Holstein Association, Wisconsin Brown Swiss Association, and Badger State Girl Choir. Some of Abby’s favorite things to do are show her dairy cattle, hang out with family and friends, and play with her dogs. In the Fall, Abby will be a freshman at Chilton High School, and in the future, she hopes to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Join Abby as she will be “Livin’ It Up” at the Biggest Little Fair in Wisconsin. Abby invites you all to join her at the Calumet County Fair, Labor Day Weekend.
2022 Fairest of the Fair
Maria Lisowe, the 2022 Calumet County Fairest of the Fair, is elated to celebrate every fairgoer’s “Time to Shine” at this year’s Fair! Maria is the daughter of Ambrose Jr. and Pamela Lisowe of Marytown, Wisconsin. Maria has two older brothers Ambrose III and Zackary, a younger brother Vincent and sister Elaina who are twins. In her free time, Maria enjoys catching the latest movies, exercising, cooking, and baking. She also loves to spend time with friends, family, and her two dogs, Trixie and Harley. She is especially enthusiastic about being able to promote the Calumet County Fair this year beside her sister Elaina who is the 2022 Junior Fairest of the Fair.
Maria’s love for the fair started at a young age watching her two older brothers raise and show their pigs every summer. So, it was no surprise that Maria showed pigs every year when she came of age. Maria was a long-time member of the Charlesburg Star 4-H club. She was honored to be named an outstanding member three times during her 13 years in 4-H. She also served as president for two years, sergeant at arms for two years, treasurer for one year, secretary for one year, and reporter for one year. Maria loves the fact that through her years in 4-H and showing at the Calumet County Fair, she learned and developed new skills, abilities, and life lessons that she still carries with her today.
As a New Holstein High School graduate, who participated in many extracurricular activities, Maria received A and B honor roll awards for many semesters. She was in cheerleading and soccer all through high school. She was awarded seven varsity letters for cheerleading and one for soccer. She also served as co-captain of the cheerleading squad her senior year. She was involved in Future Farmers of America and Forensics during high school. She had roles in her high school’s spring musical productions of Grease and Guys & Dolls. Maria also studied dance at Brittany’s School of Dance for 14 years. She started with tap class at the age of 4 years old and progressed to Jazz, Ballet, and Ballet en Pointe. Maria is most proud of being able to “go en Pointe” in her dance studies. When not enjoying her many extracurriculars, Maria worked on her family’s 1000-cow dairy farm feeding calves morning and night when her schedule allowed. Maria also served as the Calumet County Farm Bureau Princess in 2011.
Maria decided on her career path early in her high school career. At 16 years old, Maria earned her CNA certification and has worked in the healthcare field ever since. She is currently enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in their Tradition Nursing program. Maria is working towards receiving her bachelor’s degree in Nursing and has maintained a spot on the Dean’s List for the past three semesters.
Being able to have a platform to share her love of the Calumet County Fair has been one of the best things about being the Fairest of the Fair for Maria. She would like everyone she interacts with to attend the fair. If they did, they would see that it is not just about the great food, fun rides, and variety of animals being shown; or the opportunity to demonstrate skills learned and projects completed. But it is also about connecting with other community members, spending quality time with friends and family, and creating lifelong memories. All of which is genuinely a “Time to Shine”.
Elaina Lisowe, the 2022 Jr. Fairest of the Fair is ready to shine with all of you at her favorite summer event, the Calumet County Fair. She is the daughter of Ambrose Jr. and Pamela Lisowe of Marytown. She has four siblings – Ambrose III, Zackary, Maria and Vincent (her twin). In her free time, Elaina enjoys volunteering at her local food pantry, watching movies, reading, spending time with her friends and playing with her dogs.
In the fall, Elaina will be attending 8th grade in New Holstein. She is a good student and enjoys being in Art Honors, Future Farmers of America and Forensics. She is a member of her school band where she plays the clarinet. Elaina also participates in track, volleyball, and basketball at her middle school. She plays soccer in summer and fall leagues. Elaina became a certified soccer referee this year and earned some spending money for the fair. Elaina has taken dance classes since the age of 4 and has studied ballet and tap. Elaina is a former girl scout who proudly earned her bronze award. She is currently a member of the Boy Scouts of America with a Star rank. She plans to earn her Eagle in a few years.
Looking forward, Elaina is hoping to become a teacher. Elaina is currently the president of the Charlesburg Stars 4-H club which she joined as a kindergartener. Her projects include photography, arts and crafts, foods, communications, dog, and swine. Last year was the first time she did the dog project and it has become one of her favorites. She enjoys working with her dog Harley and getting her prepared for judging. Showing her pig is also a highlight for her because it is hard work and she learns something new every year.
Elaina invites everyone to attend the amazing events that the “Biggest Little Fair in Wisconsin” has to offer this Labor Day weekend. The Calumet County Fair has so many wonderful things to see and explore, join Elaina and don’t miss your “Time to Shine”.
2021 Fairest of the Fair
“Re-focus on Fun”, our Fairest of the Fair Hannah Roehrig has a huge smile this year as she makes plans for the four incredible days at the “Biggest Little Fair in Wisconsin”! Enthusiasm, energy and excitement is all around Hannah and it is infectious! You want to skip, dance and follow her lead as you are invited to join the fun and enjoy “Fair by Day, Festival by Night”!
Hannah is the daughter of Todd and Stacie Roehrig of Brillion. As a graduate of Brillion High School she participated in FFA, Yearbook Committee Editor, Drama Club, Pep Club, Sting Cancer, Varsity Club and FCCLA. Hannah created and coordinated “Ag for Day Camp” for children with all abilities. She is also the founder and coordinator of “Unified Champion Schools” which is a club to unify individuals with and without intellectual disabilities. She was named the Outstanding Sophomore, Junior and Senior and was honored to be the Badger Girl State representative and named the Sweetest Senior. Hannah was awarded the Ellen Coenen Award for school spirit and enthusiasm. Her senior year she earned a perfect score at the State Forensics Competition. She was a member of the Brillion FFA National Poultry Judging Team and the Captain of the Track Team.
Hannah will be a senior this fall at Wisconsin Lutheran College and will graduate this spring with a degree in Human Social Services with a goal of working for Special Olympics Wisconsin. She is currently the Special Events Coordinator at Special Olympics Wisconsin. She is also an Ambassador and Tour Guide at Wisconsin Lutheran College.
Hannah was awarded the Debra Uecker Scholarship for leadership shown at Wisconsin Lutheran College. She has been recognized for her numerous contributions through the Special Olympics College Club. She was voted to the Leadership Board for the Leadership Certificate Program as Wisconsin Lutheran College and has been named to the Dean’s List five semesters. She is the co-founder and President of the Special Olympics College Club, President of PINKY Swear Foundation Club, Social Media Lead for the Photography Club as well as a part of the Admissions Club. She is involved in the Christian Leadership Certificate Program and a Mentor for a student at St. Marcus. She has taken two Sign Language courses as well as a photography course. Her is currently a senior leader for WOW Weekend at Wisconsin Lutheran College (Warriors Orientation Weekend) and is responsible for organizing and leading the freshman orientation and was previously a leader and captain. She introduced and sat with the Keynote Speaker, Greg Marshall for the I3 Leadership Event.
Hannah was a 11-year member of the New Horizons 4-H Club where she held positions as President, Secretary, and Reporter. The projects she enjoyed were photography, arts and crafts, drawing and painting, foods, goats and dairy. As a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Brillion she was involved in the Youth Group for many years. As a youth she was on the Youth Activation Committee for Special Olympics Wisconsin. She was the recipient of the 4-H Key Award and the Fox Valley Youth Alliance Award. Hannah was the 2014 Junior Fairest of the Fair and the 2016 Farm Bureau Princess.
In her free time Hannah enjoys volunteering, drawing and painting, photography, refurbishing items, cooking, baking and cake decorating and spending time with her friends and family.
Hannah reflects: “I have known that the Calumet County Fair was special to me and that I wanted to become the Fairest of the Fair since my sister was the 2010 Junior Fairest of the Fair. Since then I have watched ten amazing Fairest of the Fair represent the Calumet County Fair. It is now my privilege to serve as the Fairest of the Fairs, promote and represent my second home. A part of me was missing last year when the fair was canceled due to the Corona Virus pandemic. It is time to RE-FOCUS on FUN at the 2021 Calumet County Fair”!
Emma loves the fair and is focused on the fun opportunity to share her love and enthusiasm. The Calumet County Fair is her favorite time of the summer!
Emma is the daughter of Robert and Tracy Wagner of Chilton. Emma will be in the 8th grade is fall at Chilton Middle School, where she has been on the honor roll and was named Student of the Month. She is a member of the Swim Team, Band where she plays the Ukulele, Choir, Forensics and Student Council member. In the future Emma would like to become a doctor.
As an 8-year member of the Chilton Tip-Top 4-H Club, she as held the office of Reporter. Emma’s project list includes horses, rabbits, foods, photography, sewing, houseplants, arts and crafts. Her favorite project is her horse Bruno. She shares her love for horses with her older sisters Rachael and Elizabeth who have also been in the horse project in the past and who continue to barrel race in area speed shows and National Barrel Racing Association events. She has earned special honors with a State Fair Award for her dress and blanket, 2016 Stebane Horsemanship Award and the Timothy Award.
Emma enjoys attending AWANA events at her church and volunteers at Sandi Paws Recue. When Emma has some free time, she enjoys watching movies and playing games with her family. Of course working with her horse Bruno is her favorite thing to do.
Emma says, “There is no other fair like the Calumet County Fair. I would love to have the opportunity to share all that our fair has to offer with everyone”.
Emma is ready to REFOCUS ON FUN at the 2021 Calumet County Fair. Join her Labor Day Weekend at the Biggest Little Fair in Wisconsin!
Fairest of the Fair Through The Years
Fairest of the Fair
| Year | Name | State Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Susan Krupp | |
| 1969 | Linda Schroven | |
| 1970 | No Representative | |
| 1971 | No Representative | |
| 1972 | Cheryl Meier | |
| 1973 | Linda Klapperich | State Title 1974 |
| 1974 | Joanne Hertel | |
| 1975 | Lois Libke | |
| 1976 | Tammy Groeschel | |
| 1977 | Faye Wink | State Title 1978 |
| 1978 | Brenda Lemke | |
| 1979 | Lori Zeamer | |
| 1980 | Peggy Burns | |
| 1981 | Jenifer Juckem | |
| 1982 | Sandie Brick | |
| 1983 | Judy Danoff | |
| 1984 | Julie Uitenbroek | |
| 1985 | Amy Gasch | |
| 1986 | Jodi Schmidt | |
| 1987 | Tami Behnke | |
| 1988 | Kirsten Lee | |
| 1989 | Jenifer Poppy | |
| 1990 | Julie Schmitz | |
| 1991 | Carrie Hillmann | |
| 1992 | Anne Meyer | |
| 1993 | Kelly Schaefer * | |
| 1994 | Anita Hansen | |
| 1995 | Courtney Ott | State Title 1996 |
| 1996 | Stephany Woelfel | |
| 1997 | Sara Brantmeier | |
| 1998 | Jill Wunrow | |
| 1999 | Angeline Kesler | |
| 2000 | Tina Allen | |
| 2001 | Renee Gasch | |
| 2002 | Amber Horn | |
| 2003 | Sara Mertz | |
| 2004 | Katie Hedrich | |
| 2005 | Alicia Bunnell | |
| 2006 | Angela Maurer | |
| 2007 | Katie Klessig | |
| 2008 | Christina VanOss | |
| 2009 | Jenna McGlin | |
| 2010 | Jennifer Loderbauer | |
| 2011 | Nicole Wittmann | |
| 2012 | Gina Geiser | |
| 2013 | Kayla Krahn | |
| 2014 | Erica Lamers | |
| 2015 | Gloria Kesler | State Title 2016 |
| 2016 | Jacke McGlin | |
| 2017 | Ashley Pagel | |
| 2018 | Melody Thiel | |
| 2019 | Rachel Wagner | |
| 2020 | No Representative (No Fair) | |
| 2021 | Hannah Roehrig | |
| 2022 | Maria Lisowe | |
| 2023 | Crystal Thiel |
Jr Fairest of the Fair
| Year | Name |
|---|---|
| 1996 | Heidi Kleinhaus |
| 1997 | Jessica Olson |
| 1998 | Jessica Carnehan |
| 1999 | Tara Schnell |
| 2000 | Rachel Dees |
| 2001 | Erica Van Handel |
| 2002 | Alicia Bunnell |
| 2003 | Elizabeth Fischer |
| 2004 | Elizabeth VanOss |
| 2005 | Jenna McGlin |
| 2006 | Jennifer Loderbauer |
| 2007 | Jackie McGlin |
| 2008 | Amanda Krahn |
| 2009 | Anna Hickinbotham |
| 2010 | Whitney Roehrig |
| 2011 | Abbey Sabel |
| 2012 | Mikayla TeBeest |
| 2013 | Ana Rank |
| 2014 | Hannah Roehrig |
| 2015 | Elizabeth Wagner |
| 2016 | Allyson Roehrig |
| 2017 | Gabrielle Bures |
| 2018 | Emily Boll |
| 2019 | Coryna Wittman |
| 2020 | No Representative (No Fair) |
| 2021 | Emma Wagner |
| 2022 | Elaina Lisowe |
| 2023 | Abby Meyer |
Individuals who Served as Fairest of the Fair & Junior Fairest of the Fair
| Junior Fairest of the Fair Year | Name | Fairest of the Fair Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Alicia Bunnell | 2005 |
| 2005 | Jenna McGlin | 2009 |
| 2006 | Jennifer Loderbauer | 2010 |
| 2007 | Jackie McGlin | 2016 |
| 2014 | Hannah Roehrig | 2021 |
Fairest of the Fair Photo Gallery
