—Daily Freeman-Journal photo by Adri Sietstra Former Hamilton County Fair Queens returned to the fair this year for the fair’s 100 year anniversary. They spent the afternoon reminiscing about their individual reigns. Contestants as far back as 1966 came back for the reunion.

Former Hamilton County fair queens received a royal welcome Thursday evening at the fair.

Past queens were invited to a short reunion and reception before Thursday night’s queen coronation, in honor of the fair’s 100-year-anniversary.

According to Kim Schaa, member of the Hamilton County Fair Queen Committee, 23 former winners came back to help celebrate the past and future of the fair.

Hamilton County’s first fair queen, Judy (Engstrom) Denekas, reigned in 1965. Hamilton County’s second fair queen, Nancy (Kolbeck) Wood, traveled from Hot Springs, AR. Wood proudly wore her original crown and sash to the event, as did the majority of other former queens.

Wood reminisced about her time as fair queen and noted she twirled batons for her talent.

Kathy (Muxfeldt) Quimby, 1968 Hamilton County Fair Queen, sang and played the guitar for her talent.

“It’s kind of exciting,” said Schaa. “We told all of the girls to bring their crowns and sashes, so I’m glad to see that they are wearing them.”

The last reunion was in 1987, according to Schaa. Eight or nine former queens returned then.

“I think it’s really special that these ladies thought enough of it to come back,” said Schaa. “It’s really wonderful.

Women traveled from Arizona, Minnesota, Kansas, and across the state of Iowa for the celebration.