March 28, 2024

Busy state fair week for Jasper County Fair queen

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Jasper County Fair Queen Shelby Deaton already has had a busy week at the fair, and she still has one event left. Between competing for state fair queen and showing her cattle, the Baxter native is making the most of her time in Des Moines.

“I’ve showed (at the fair) since I was in eighth grade,” Deaton said.

On Tuesday, she had her Supreme Grand Champion breeding heifer from the Jasper County Fair, Annabelle, ready to compete. With tough competition, she placed third in the commercial breeding category.

“Today I just took her back in the ring and got third in my class, so I am pretty proud of her,” Deaton said.

She also will be competing Wednesday in the market division with her cattle.

To kick off her time at the fair, Deaton competed in the state fair queen competition, arriving at the fairgrounds Aug. 5 to begin the process.

“The queen contest was awesome. It was an experience that I will never forget. I didn’t get anything, but I was blessed to do it,” Deaton said.

She took part in three interviews with judges prior to the fair beginning and then gave introductions on stage at both the Bill Riley and Susan Knapp stages the first two days of the fair.

“It was just bonding with the girls. We had workshops and how you communicated with problems. It was just a lot of fun,” Deaton said.

Contact Staff Writer Jamee A. Pierson at (641) 792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com.