2026 Tama County Fair Queen Belle Werner, left, and 2026 Tama County Fair Princess Violet Jackson, right, pictured on Tuesday, July 14, at the fairgrounds in Gladbrook. Werner, who hails from Toledo and graduated this past May from Benton Community School District, was selected from a pool of three candidates. She was crowned as the grand finale to the fair’s opening ceremony which kicked off just after 9 p.m. Tuesday evening following the dog show. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

GLADBROOK – After winning princess honors at last year’s county fair, Belle Werner of Toledo was crowned the 2026 Tama County Fair Queen Tuesday evening, July 14, at the fairgrounds in Gladbrook.

Werner was vying for the honor alongside fellow candidates Kenzie Bartel of rural Marshalltown and Violet Jackson of rural Garwin. Moments before Werner was crowned, Jackson was announced as the 2026 Tama County Fair Princess.

Mistress of Ceremony duties this year were shared by 2025 Tama County Fair Queen Rhianna Murty, 2024 Tama County Fair Queen Amaya Peterson, and 2024 Tama County Fair Princess Faith Dvorak. Candidate escorts included Jayden Beichley, Brayton Cibula, Caleb Ferch, and Ethan Klemesrud. Ty Guthrie and Cayden Slifer shared doorman duties.

Next up for Queen Werner is the 2026 Iowa State Fair Queen Pageant held in Des Moines during the Iowa State Fair. The pageant begins on Tuesday, Aug. 11, and lasts through the time of crowning on Saturday, Aug. 15. Judging for the Iowa State Fair Queen is based on personality, attitude, leadership, citizenship, contribution to community, overall appearance, charm, and poise.

The first and only time a fair queen from Tama County won the state competition was in 1997 when Tama County’s very first county fair queen, Rebecca Earles of Traer, took home the state crown. Last summer, Grundy County Fair Queen Riah Schrage of Grundy Center was crowned the 2025 Iowa State Fair Queen.

The 2026 Tama County Fair Queen escorts and doormen pictured prior to the queen crowning ceremony on Tuesday evening. From left, Caleb Ferch, Jayden Beichley, Brayton Cibula, Ty Guthrie, Cayden Slifer, and Ethan Klemesrud. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Werner is the daughter of Eric and Michelle Werner. She graduated this past May from Benton Community High School. In addition to competing at the 2026 Iowa State Fair Queen Pageant next month, Werner’s future plans include attending Iowa State University to major in ag business and finance.

From left, 2026 Tama County Fair Queen Belle Werner, 2025 Tama County Fair Queen Rhianna Murty, 2026 Tama County Fair Princess Violet Jackson, and 2026 fair queen candidate Kenzie Bartel pose for a photo together following the queen crowning ceremony Tuesday evening in Gladbrook. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER