Gracie Schmitt of Spillville named Winneshiek County Fair Queen

Gracie Schmitt (left) reacts to being named Fair Queen

Gracie Schmitt of Spillville has been named the 2017 Winneshiek County Fair Queen.

Schmitt was selected Thursday afternoon from a field of nine Queen candidates.  She is a 16-year-old South Winn High School student who has been active in FFA, serving as reporter for her chapter.  She shows sheep at the Fair and is involved in SODA, softball, basketball, volleyball, student government and FFA at South Winn.  Gracie is the daughter of Tammy and Darrell Schmitt.  

Marissa Foels was named 2017 Winneshiek county Fair Princess.  She is the 18-year-old daughter of Loren and JoEllen Foels of rural Postville.  She has been active in speech, music, academics and Honor Society at Decorah HS, in addition to her involvement in 4-H.

Other Queen candidates were Kandace Engelhardt of rural Cresco; Kaylee Knight of Decorah; Emily Luzum of Fort Atkinson; Hailey Nierling of Decorah; Amy Schmitt of Fort Atkinson; Jenna Schmitt of Fort Atkinson; and Danae Taylor of Ossian.

2016 Winneshiek County Fair Queen Hannah Schmitt and 2016 Winneshiek County Fair Princess Ashley Schwartzhoff were on hand Thursday to crown their successors.

(Click on photo for larger image) (Left to right): Haily Nierling, Emily Luzum, Jenna Schmitt, Kandace Engelhardt, Danae Taylor, Kaylee Knight, Amy Schmitt, Marrisa Foels, Gracie Schmitt, Hannah Schmitt and Ashley Schwartzhoff

(Click on photo for larger image)(Left to right): 2017 Fair Princess Marrisa Foels, 2017 Fair Queen Gracie Schmitt, 2016 Fair Queen Hannah Schmitt and 2016 Fair Princess Ashley Schwartzhoff