PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER 2025 Tama County Fair Queen Rhianna Murty (left) and 2025 Tama County Fair Princess Belle Werner pictured on Tuesday, July 15, at the fairgrounds in Gladbrook. Murty, who hails from Gladbrook and attends GMG High School, was selected from a pool of four candidates. She was crowned as the grand finale to the fair’s Opening Ceremony which kicked off following the Tama County Fair Dog Show.

GLADBROOK — Rhianna Murty of Gladbrook was crowned the 2025 Tama County Fair Queen on Tuesday, July 15, at the fairgrounds in Gladbrook. She was vying for the honor alongside fellow candidates Lauren Keller of Gladbrook, Rylee Ridout of rural Vining, and Belle Werner of Toledo. Moments before Murty was crowned, Werner was announced as the 2025 Tama County Fair Princess.

Murty received her title from 2024 Tama County Fair Queen Amaya Peterson, while Werner received hers from 2024 Tama County Fair Princess Faith Dvorak.

Both Peterson and 2023 Tama County Fair Queen Adelyn Sienknecht tag teamed as Mistress of Ceremonies this year.

Candidate escorts included Jayden Beichley, Jay Bru, Ty Gutherie, Mason Hosek, and Wyatt Silhanek; Brayton Cibula was the doorman.

Next up for Queen Murty is the 2025 Iowa State Fair Queen Pageant held in Des Moines during the Iowa State Fair. The pageant begins on Tuesday, Aug. 5, and lasts through the time of crowning on Saturday, Aug. 9. Judging for the Iowa State Fair Queen is based on personality, attitude, leadership, citizenship, contribution to community, overall appearance, charm, and poise.

The first and only time a fair queen from Tama County won the state competition was in 1997 when Rebecca Earles of Traer – Tama County’s very first county fair queen – took home the state crown.

Murty, 18, is the daughter of Steve and Erin Murty and a rising senior at GMG High School in Garwin, while Werner, 17, is the daughter of Eric and Michelle Werner and a rising senior at Benton Community High School.

In addition to competing at the 2025 Iowa State Fair Queen Pageant next month, Murty’s future plans include finishing up high school, after which she is looking forward to attending Iowa State University to possibly major in animal science.

The queen candidates began the process June 1. A workshop was held later in June at Tama Livestock in Tama to prepare the girls for judging. Convertibles provided by the Shriners carried the girls in the Corn Carnival parade.

Judging took place on July 13 at the Reinig Center in Toledo. Judges were Bailey from Ames, Denise Allan from Newton, and Breanna Selser from Ames. The girls took part in a group discussion led by Peterson, daughter of Loni and James Droigk of Gladbrook. They were also interviewed individually. After a short break, a luncheon was served by the Toledo Tech 4-H Club.

Before the luncheon, the girls gave a 3-5 minute speech that they prepared from a list of choices provided by the committee. The girls and their guests were excused and the judges retired to make their decision. Their choices for queen and princess were sealed in envelopes that were opened at the crowning ceremony.

Peterson welcomed the crowd of spectators and thanked those who made the evening possible. Sponsors included Tama County Fair Board, State Bank of Toledo, Tama Florist, Peace Church of Gladbrook, Ashley Dvorak, Farm Life Designs – Reserved parking signs for Queen & Princess, Assured Partners, Barb Wieben, Breakenridge Memorials, Deanna Nederhoff, Blue Hills Rural Bake Shop, Deb Kupka Farmer’s Savings Bank, Frances Jackson, Heather Niedermann, Velocity Nutrition, John & Emily Putney, Kaylynn Murty, LR Jewelers, Mandy Lekin, Real Estate Agent, Mitchell Hoefling/Darbie Lynch, Tim Murty, Doug Rowe, & Grant Strohbehn, Monat Construction, Next Generation Ag Services, North Tama Vet, Peace Church, Raymond Station, Real Deals, Salt Creek Beef, Sheryl Jesina, Sharon Knoop, & Deb Kupka, Tama County Fair Board, Tama Florist, Tama Livestock Auction, Farmer’s Daughter Photography, and Toledo Techs.

Amaya then joined Adelyn and Faith at the podium. Convertibles were provided by Grant Strohbehn, Brett Miller, and Mitchell Hoefling. They introduced the candidates one by one with their escorts. Escorts were Jayden Biechly, Mason Hosek, Jay Bru, Ty Guthrie, Brayton Cibula, with Wyatt Silhanek being the doorman. Each candidate presented her speech to the crowd.

Then came the moment the crowd had been awaiting, crowning the 2024 Tama County Fair Queen. The sealed envelopes were then opened revealing the judge’s results.

Amid cheers from the crowd, the envelope was opened revealing Murty had been chosen to serve as the 2025 Tama County Fair Queen. She was presented with the crown, sash, gift bag and her bouquet of roses.

Belle Werner was crowned Princess and was presented a sash, tiara and gift bag. Watch Murty at the State Fair beginning Aug. 7. The crowning will take place Saturday, Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage.