Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Friday, July 18, 2008

Autumn Grooms: Fairest learns more about the fair

By Autumn Grooms | La Crosse Tribune

WEST SALEM, Wis. — People don’t all head to the La Crosse Interstate Fair for the same reason.

Some are there solely for the animals while others never set foot in a barn.

There are rides, race cars and music that suit most tastes, and for a number of people — myself included — the fair is synonymous with food.

But when you earn the title of Fairest of the Fair, you need to be well versed in all the five-day festival’s activities, even if you’ve only participated in those that don’t smell.

Kayla Wegner, 18, of Bangor, Wis., has been getting acquainted with everything the La Crosse Interstate Fair has to offer this year since being crowned in April.

And the 2008 Bangor High School graduate said she is loving every minute of it.

“There’s a lot more going on than I ever thought there was,” Wegner said. “I used to come, go on rides, eat and show my projects, but this has been great.”

Spending more time at the fairgrounds in West Salem has shown the teen how important the 118th annual event is for the county and those who attend.

“I love that it is a safe environment and is very family-friendly,” she said. “I know that nowadays we try to get away from our families, and spend time with our friends, but the fair is a way to get more time together in a safe environment.”

Wegner ran for the title at the encouragement of her mother, Helen (Streeck) Wegner, who was Fairest of the Fair in 1978. She was sponsored by First National Bank in Bangor.

“She said, ‘Hey, want to try out,’ and I said, ‘Sure,’” Wegner said. “I’ve been in 4-H since I was really young.”

The younger Wegner’s crowning marked the first time a mother and daughter both have earned the title in the competition’s 31-year history.

As the Fairest, Wegner has been promoting the fair in area parades, helping with daily events and, at some point, milking a goat.

Today, she’ll compete in the Super Farmer Olympics at 10 a.m. at the Farm Progress Outside Arena.

Let’s hope she doesn’t do too badly for a girl who didn’t grow up on a farm and claims “animals are just smelly.”

Autumn Grooms can be reached at (608) 791-8424 or agrooms@lacrossetribune.com.