The 2025 Greene County Fair is in the books with lots of successes and fun that was had.

The fair wrapped up on Monday with the Junior Premium Auction. Greene County ISU Extension 4-H and Youth Coordinator Samantha Hardaway says this is where anyone can donate money to any youth that showed at this year’s fair as a way to congratulate them for their hard work. She tells Raccoon Valley Radio, there was $34,600 raised by the community, with another $10,250 from the Friends of the Fair group that went to 123 youth. Additionally, Hardaway notes that there were 32 4-H static exhibits that qualified for the Iowa State Fair.

Hardaway modestly admits that even though she is busy during the Greene County Fair, she has lots of help surrounding her.

“But I would be a lot busier if it wasn’t for the parents, and the volunteers, and the staff that are able to support us. The (Greene County) Fair Board does a ton to support us, we have our superintendents that are there to support us. And then just the parents and the youth that want to participate in the fair, we wouldn’t have a fair if the kids didn’t want to participate. So having them there and seeing our numbers grow is a great sign and we want to keep growing those numbers and giving them a great fair experience.”

Another highlight is the crowning of the fair queen and this year that honor went to Addison Gannon. The daughter of Ben and Maleea, Addison described what her initial reaction was to hearing her name announced as the 2025 Greene County Fair Queen.

“Well, I was definitely a little nervous. I didn’t know what to expect and when they read it off, I feel like my hard work really showed, and I felt it. I was like, ‘Oh, I did that for something, you know?’ I finally got what I was wanting.”  

Addison will represent Greene County at the Iowa State Fair in August.