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Meghan Buechel is a student at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

January 16, 2019

4 Min Read
crowded street at fair
FAIR PROMOTION: The Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs program was created 53 years ago to select an ambassador for the Wisconsin Association of Fairs, which represents 75 county, district and state fairs.

Meghan Buechel, 20, representing the Brown County Fair, took home the 2019 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs title Jan. 9 at the annual Wisconsin Association of Fairs Convention in Wisconsin Dells. A field of 42 young women, the highest number in the history of the competition, vied for this coveted position. 

The Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs program was created 53 years ago to select an ambassador for the Wisconsin Association of Fairs, which represents 75 county, district and state fairs. Each year, the Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs travels throughout the state promoting the educational, agricultural, social, cultural and commercial opportunities available at Wisconsin’s great fairs. It is a position of responsibility to the residents of Wisconsin, and the winner must possess excellent communication skills, as well as organizational skills, professionalism and a passion for the fair industry.

Fair ambassador
Buechel will serve a one-year term, and her responsibilities include appearances at fairs and events throughout the state, working with media, and promoting the importance of Wisconsin’s fair and agriculture industries. In addition, she will serve as an ambassador of the 2019 Wisconsin State Fair, Aug. 1-11. This includes greeting fairgoers and special guests, performing as the master of ceremonies for several events during fair, participating in various contests, and representing the fair during select media appearances.

Meghan Buechel, 2019 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs

NEW FAIREST: Meghan Buechel, 20, representing the Brown County Fair, was the top candidate in a field of 42 young women, the highest number in the history of the Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs competition.

The daughter of Bill and Jennifer Buechel of De Pere, Buechel is studying microbiology at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, with plans to attend graduate school and become an occupational therapist. She works in the Microbiology Prep Room at the university as a lab assistant and at Gundersen Heath System as a rehabilitation technician.

Buechel has volunteered as a physical activity mentor for people with disabilities and special needs children. She has exhibited 13 different project types throughout her years in 4-H and FFA, including sheep and swine.

“We look forward to welcoming the Fairest of the Fairs to the Wisconsin State Fair staff each year,” says Kathleen O’Leary, CEO of Wisconsin State Fair Park. “Meghan demonstrated a true passion for the fair and agriculture industry and rose to the top in a year when we had a record number of young women competing for the honor and responsibility of being Fairest of the Fairs. Congratulations to Meghan and to all of the 2019 contestants.”

Competitive field
Sharla Boehlke, 20, representing the Ozaukee County Fair, was named first runner-up. She is the daughter of Royal and Linda Boehlke of Random Lake and is studying nutritional sciences and dietetics at UW-Madison. Boehlke works at Cedar Valley Cheese Store, sells cheese at the Dane County Farmers Market for Capri Cheese and acts as an assistant for the Wisconsin 4-H International Program.

Molly McIlquaham, 21, representing the Northern Wisconsin State Fair, was named second runner-up. She is the daughter of Cara Schueller of Chippewa Falls and is a senior at UW-River Falls pursuing a degree in soil science. 

Morgan Rynish, 22, representing the Outagamie County Fair, was named third runner-up. She is the daughter of Dan and Kim Rynish of Pulaski and is a senior at the UW-Eau Claire pursuing a degree in elementary education.

Emily Franke, 19, representing the Fond du Lac County Fair, was named fourth runner-up. She is the daughter of Scott and Laura Franke of Oakfield and is a sophomore at UW-Madison studying dairy science.

Abigail Bralick, 19, representing the Waukesha County Fair, received the Tim Heffernon Congeniality Award. She is the daughter of Michael and Kelly Kirk-Bralick of Waukesha and is pursuing a degree in therapeutic recreation at UW-La Crosse.

Buechel replaces the 2018 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs, Isabella Haen from the Kewaunee County Fair. The Fairest of the Fairs is chosen by a panel of three judges representing the fair, communications and agriculture industries.

Individuals interested in competing in future Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs contests may contact their county or district fair board for more information, or visit wifairs.com.

Source: Wisconsin State Fair, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

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