Scenes from the 2026 Tama County Fair: Ride the Tide of Tomorrow

Gladbrook Clover Kids 4-H Club member Cora Plett smiles while working with one of her sheep on Tuesday, July 14. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Members of the Garwin Roughriders 4-H Club pictured in their club booth located inside the Rogers Building. PHOTO COURTESY OF GARWIN ROUGHRIDERS/FACEBOOK

2025 Tama County Fair Queen Rhianna Murty, left, works with a Clover Kid 4-H member during non-livestock judging, Monday, July 13, in the Rogers Building. PHOTO COURTESY OF TAMA COUNTY EXTENSION & OUTREACH/FACEBOOK

Lance Dvorak, 3, helps walk his big sister Sarah’s goats on Tuesday, July 14, at the Tama County Fairgrounds in Gladbrook. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Clutier Cowboys and Cowgirls 4-H Club member Daisy Dvorak of rural Gladbrook works with one of her sheep on Tuesday, July 14. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Wolfcreek Whirlwinds 4-H Club member Colbie Fevold participates in the 2026 Tama County Dog Show on Tuesday, July 14. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Clutier Cowboys and Cowgirls 4-H Club member Emma Bauer (kneeling) of rural Gladbrook participates alongside her dog Trice (as in Jack Trice) during the Showmanship portion of the Tama County Fair Dog Show on Tuesday, July 14. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Doorman Ty Guthrie receives a helping hand tying his tie ahead of the 2026 Tama County Fair Queen coronation on Tuesday, July 14. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Tama County Livestock and Fair Association Director Nathan Upah welcomes folks to the fair as part of the opening ceremony on Tuesday evening, July 14, in Gladbrook. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Participants and helpers with the 2026 Tama County Bacon Buddies Show pictured on Friday, July 17. “Bacon Buddies is a wonderful program that gives individuals with special needs the opportunity to experience showing a pig in the show ring,” organizer and GMG Class of 2024 alumna Lilly Bru (kneeling–center) wrote in a social media post following the show. “Each Buddy is paired with a swine exhibitor who serves as their mentor, helping guide them through the show while they answer fun questions from the judge. This year, we were excited to have two amazing Bacon Buddies participate, and they had an absolute blast! Seeing their confidence and excitement in the ring was truly the highlight of the day.” Also pictured, 2026 Tama County Fair Queen Belle Werner, far left. PHOTO BY LAURA BRU/THE PIE LADY

PHOTO BY LAURA BRU/THE PIE LADY

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

: Clutier Cowboys and Cowgirls 4-H Club member Emma Bauer (kneeling) of rural Gladbrook participates alongside her dog Trice (as in Jack Trice) during the Showmanship portion of the Tama County Fair Dog Show on Tuesday, July 14. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

: PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

: Clutier Cowboys and Cowgirls 4-H Club member Daisy Dvorak of rural Gladbrook works with one of her sheep on Tuesday, July 14. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

: Wolfcreek Whirlwinds 4-H Club member Colbie Fevold participates in the 2026 Tama County Dog Show on Tuesday, July 14. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

: PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

: Lance Dvorak, 3, helps walk his big sister Sarah’s goats on Tuesday, July 14, at the Tama County Fairgrounds in Gladbrook. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

: Gladbrook Clover Kids 4-H Club member Cora Plett smiles while working with one of her sheep on Tuesday, July 14. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

: Doorman Ty Guthrie receives a helping hand tying his tie ahead of the 2026 Tama County Fair Queen coronation on Tuesday, July 14. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

: PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

: Tama County Livestock and Fair Association Director Nathan Upah welcomes folks to the fair as part of the opening ceremony on Tuesday evening, July 14, in Gladbrook. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

: PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

: Participants and helpers with the 2026 Tama County Bacon Buddies Show pictured on Friday, July 17. “Bacon Buddies is a wonderful program that gives individuals with special needs the opportunity to experience showing a pig in the show ring,” organizer and GMG Class of 2024 alumna Lilly Bru (kneeling–center) wrote in a social media post following the show. “Each Buddy is paired with a swine exhibitor who serves as their mentor, helping guide them through the show while they answer fun questions from the judge. This year, we were excited to have two amazing Bacon Buddies participate, and they had an absolute blast! Seeing their confidence and excitement in the ring was truly the highlight of the day.” Also pictured, 2026 Tama County Fair Queen Belle Werner, far left. PHOTO BY LAURA BRU/THE PIE LADY

: PHOTO BY LAURA BRU/THE PIE LADY

: Members of the Garwin Roughriders 4-H Club pictured in their club booth located inside the Rogers Building. PHOTO COURTESY OF GARWIN ROUGHRIDERS/FACEBOOK

: 2025 Tama County Fair Queen Rhianna Murty, left, works with a Clover Kid 4-H member during non-livestock judging, Monday, July 13, in the Rogers Building. PHOTO COURTESY OF TAMA COUNTY EXTENSION & OUTREACH/FACEBOOK

GLADBROOK – The 2026 Tama County Fair was held July 13-19 at the fairgrounds in Gladbrook featuring the 4-H/FFA theme “Ride the Tide of Tomorrow.” The weather all week was hot and humid with temperatures in the low-90s and high dew points. The fair officially kicked off Tuesday evening, July 14, with the opening ceremony during which Tama County Livestock and Fair Association Director Nathan Upah took to the show ring microphone to welcome those in attendance and announce several awards. The evening concluded with the selection of the 2026 Tama County Fair Queen and Princess – Belle Werner of Toledo and Violet Jackson of Garwin, respectively. When reached Monday afternoon following the far, Tama County Youth Coordinator Jenny Hulme said she couldn’t be more proud of her 4-H exhibitors this year, telling the newspaper, “Their dedication, hard work and determination were evident in everything they did. They set ambitious goals and went above and beyond to achieve them – representing our 4-H program with pride and excellence. Congratulations to each and every one of them on a successful fair. I can’t wait to see what they’ll accomplish next year!”