The severe storms in central Iowa Wednesday did not stop the Central Iowa Fair from kicking off its first day of events at the Central Iowa Fairgrounds with hundreds of people in attendance.

The main event of Wednesday’s activities was the crowning of the 2021 Central Iowa Fair Queen and the Central Iowa Fair Ms. Princess Award.

West Marshall senior Baylee Butler took home the queen crown, while fellow West Marshall senior Addie Young was the runner up. Clara Goul was the Little Ms. Princess crown winner.

The announcement of her winning the crown caught Butler a bit off guard.

“I was shocked,” Butler said. “It takes a lot to just get up here and to be able to have the confidence to.”

She will represent Marshall County at the Iowa State Fair in August. Butler is the first queen crowned in two years at the Central Iowa Fair, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The newly-crowned Marshall County residents are set to take over for the 2019 Central Iowa Queen Ally Lamer and 2019 Miss Princess Luella Fischer. Butler said she grew up going to the Central Iowa Fair.

“I’ve been coming out here since I was a little kid,” Butler said. “I was raised here so it’s very much a tradition.”

As for her plans after her upcoming senior year of high school, Butler said she’s going to either Clarke University in Dubuque or to Illinois University for an early entry program into physical therapy.

Young said after her senior year of high school, she’s going to Marshalltown Community College for dental hygiene for 10 months, then to Iowa State afterwards.

The crowning of the fair queen and miss princess was supposed to take place at the big stage under the big tent on the east side of the fairgrounds but because of rain that Marshalltown received, the crownings and other award ceremonies were moved inside to the pavilion.

Part of the process to become the Central Iowa Fair Queen was to answer questions from judges in a 10- to 15-minute interview.

“When we got interviewed, they asked us basic questions about the county fair and Iowa State Fair,” Butler said. “Then we got to quickfire round issues, then we had to answer some questions that were at the state fair.”

She didn’t think her interview went well, but was still named the queen. The questions that were asked were about the state fair meant to sort of prepare them for the state fair.

“They were just fun questions, random questions like, what was your favorite food in the state fair and stuff and then it’s like, ‘What’s your favorite thing to do at the State Fair?’ Iif you can only visit one thing, what would it be?'” Young said.

Butler is the 29th Central Iowa Fair Queen and Goul is the eighth Miss Princess winner.

The winner of the Little Miss Central Iowa Princess was decided by a drawing out of a bucket on Wednesday.

“It was amazing,” Goul said.

In addition to the crowning of the fair queen and little miss princess, there were other festivities and activities on the first day of the fair.

Included was an arm wrestling area under the big tent, youth awards, Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame inductions, as well as other awards and more.

Wednesday was the first night of what should be a full weekend, weather permitting, of events at the 2021 Central Iowa Fair. Fair goer Katie Meester, a five-year resident of Marshalltown, said it’s great that the fair is back.

“I’m glad it’s back,” Meester said. “Last year wasn’t normal.”

Meester said she’s been going to the Central Iowa Fair for five years and that her kids show sheep, chicken and poultry.

“It’s great to see the kids being with their friends,” Meester said. “It’s their favorite week of the year.”

Contact Sam Stuve at 641-753-6611 or at sstuve@timesrepublican.com.