WEST ALLIS – Kewaunee County native Isabella Haen was named Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs for 2018 by the Wisconsin Association of Fairs at its annual convention in Wisconsin Dells.

A field of 36 contestants from county and district fairs throughout Wisconsin participated in the competition, which was created 52 years ago to select an ambassador for the Wisconsin Association of Fairs, which represents all 76 Wisconsin county, district and state fairs.

Haen, who entered the contest as a representative of the Kewaunee County Fair, will serve a one-year term, and her responsibilities include making appearances at fairs and events throughout the state, working with media and promoting the importance of Wisconsin’s fair and agriculture industries.

In addition, she will serve as an ambassador of the 2018 Wisconsin State Fair, which will take place Aug. 2 through 12 at the fairgrounds in West Allis. This includes greeting fair goers and special guests, performing as the master of ceremonies for several events during State Fair, participating in various contests, and representing the fair during select media appearances.

The daughter of Matt Haen and Coleen Blizel of Casco, Haen is a recent graduate of Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, where she earned a degree in Agriculture Business and Science Technology. She currently works as a herdsperson at Kinnard Farms, Inc. in the Town of Lincoln, where she is responsible for the well-being of 7,200 animals. Additionally, throughout her FFA career, she held roles such as student adviser, vice president and president and recently joined the FFA Alumni program.

Each year, the Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs travels throughout the state promoting the educational, agricultural, social, cultural and commercial opportunities available at Wisconsin’s fairs. It is a position of responsibility, and the winner must possess excellent communication skills as well as organization, professionalism and a passion for Wisconsin’s fair industry.

“We look forward to welcoming the Fairest of the Fairs to the Wisconsin State Fair staff each year,” said Kathleen O’Leary, CEO of Wisconsin State Fair Park. “Isabella has proven she will be an excellent ambassador for Wisconsin’s fair industry, including State Fair.”

Haen replaces the 2017 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs, Rebecca Starkenburg from the Lodi Agricultural Fair. The Fairest is chosen by a panel of three judges representing the fair, communications and agriculture industries.

Individuals interested in competing in future Fairest of the Fairs contests should contact their county or district fair board or visit WiFairs.com.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Kewaunee County's Haen named Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs