Olivia Danley was crowned the 2025 Shawano County Fairest of the Fair on June 22, taking over for Lydia Rasmussen as the county fair’s newest spokesperson.
With the crown comes the responsibility of representing Shawano County at other county fairs over the next year, as well as the Wisconsin State Fair. She will also be the face of the fair at other community events in the county. During the year, Danley will also learn more about presenting a professional appearance, showing good etiquette and more.
Danley comes from the Clintonville area and is going into her senior year at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
“I am beyond honored to be your 2025 Shawano County Fairest of the Fair,” Danley said to a crowd of people at the Olson Dairy Farm in the Town of Birnamwood during the Shawano County Brunch on the Farm. “I’m a fifth-generation sheep showman, and even though I aged out of the junior fair, I am still showing sheep in open class. I am also project leader, and I help out at the 4-H food stand.”
To get the crown, Danley had to go through the interview process at the fair office, a week earlier, prepare a radio ad that promotes the fair and write an essay on why the Shawano County Fair is important.
After the big announcement, Danley she was proud to take on the role of Fairest and represent the fair.
“I’m super happy and excited to have this role, and I can’t wait to see what new experiences I have,” Danley said.
Danley had previously attempted to run for Fairest in 2022, but she finished as the first runner-up. Things went better for her this go-around.
“I’m getting more comfortable in my schooling,” Danley said, noting that juggling the spokesperson role with pursuing her plans to get a bachelor’s degree in elementary education is part of the challenge of being Fairest of the Fair. “It was tough at first, but now that I’m comfortable, I really wanted to get out there just because I’ve been at the fair my entire life.”
Danley said she loves how the county fair brings together the community for almost a week of laughter and fun.
“It’s just amazing to see how everyone helps one another out and how we all come together to create this wonderful experience,” Danley said.
She said she hopes that her visits to other county fairs across the state might allow her to bring back some ideas to make Shawano County’s big event even better.
Danley’s ascension also meant Rasmussen’s final moments on the stage, and the outgoing Fairest reflected on what the previous 12 months meant to her.
“As I stand here today for the final time as your Shawano County Fairest of the Fair, I’m overwhelmed with joy, gratitude and a touch of sadness as I reflect on a year that has truly meant the world to me,” Rasmussen said. “This journey has taken me to parades, numerous community events and unforgettable moments representing Shawano County, a place I will always proudly call my home.”
Rasmussen fondly remembered her work bringing many fair events to life, traveling to other places and sharing why the Shawano County Fair means so much.
“One of my favorite memories this year was simply walking through the dairy barn, taking in the energy of hard work and pride of each exhibitor and a shared love of agriculture that fills the air,” Rasmussen said. “Those thoughts meant even more to me because this was the last fair I shared with my grandfather, who we recently lost.”
She added that her grandfather helped to instill all her agriculture values.
Kings and queens reigned before Fairest of the Fair
Here’s a look at the men and women who have reigned over the Shawano County Fair in the past 65 years.
1960: Helen Brunette, Queen, and John Krause, King
1961: Marsha Henn, Queen, and William Wendorff, King
1962: Pam Radtke, Queen, and Mark Peterson, King
1963: Karen Wagner, Queen, and Mark Krause, King
1964: Donna Kraeger, Queen, and Dean Malueg, King
1965: Dianne Kraeger, Queen, and Mark Wendorff, King
1966-72: No recorded royalty
1973: Jane Mare Echtner
1974: Roberta Peterson
1975-1980: No recorded royalty
1981: Julie Mraz, Fair Centennial Queen
Fairest of the Fair
1982: Kathleen Jarek
1983: Teresa Tauchen (first runner-up at state)
1984: Teri Schultz
1985: Jennifer Erb
1986: Jennifer Erb
1987: Susan Wnek
1988: Tammy O’Neil
1989: Julie Engel
1990: Lori A. Bodart
1991: Jill Romberg
1992: Jeannine Holewinski
1993: Ann Marie Onesti
1994: Katy Lucht
1995: Theresa Luepke
1996: Jessica Wolf
1997: Rachel Wussow
1998: Rachel Wussow
1999: Hamby Alford
2000: Roxanne Schaewe
2001: Sarah Wussow
2002: Amber Swenor (2003 Wisconsin Fairest of Fair)
2003: Kelly Kolaske
2004: Megan Fuhrman
2005: Jenny Christiansen
2006: No program
2007: Suzzie Long
2008: Samantha Huss
2009: Angela Beilfuss
2010: Angie Brusky
2011: Amber Mallmann
2012: Aly Dallas
2013: Megan Welk
2014: Ashley Bergsbaken
2015: Shianna Gracyalny
2016: Taylor Przybylski
2019: Tarah Malorky
2022: Harmony Reimer
2023: Mandi McClone
2024: Lydia Rasmussen