The Crowning of the 2015 Tama County Fair Queen took place on Thursday evening, July 16, at the Tama County 4-H Fairgrounds in Gladbrook. Mistresses of Ceremonies for the evening were 2014 Tama County Fair Queen, Erin Filloon, and 2013 Tama County Fair Queen, Emma Knoop. Candidates for the 2015 competition were Aubree Beenken, daughter of Marc and Angie Beenken, Buckingham, Rachel Kopriva, daughter of John and Bonnie Kopriva, Traer, Megan McCrary, daughter of Sandra & Darcy Rasmussen, Montour and Mark McCrary, and Jessica Ubben, daughter of Sherman and Lesia Ubben of Traer . The girls began the process with applications due June 1st. A workshop was held later in June at the State Bank of Toledo Community Room in Toledo to prepare the girls for judging. Convertibles provided by the Shriners carried the girls in the Corn Carnival parade. Judging took place on July 12 at the United Methodist Church of Gladbrook. Judges were Julie Miller of Marshalltown, Julie Crotty of Cedar Falls and Jill Broekman of Marshalltown. The girls took part in a group discussion led by 2014 Tama County Fair Queen, Erin Filloon, daughter of Jeff and Piene Filloon. They were also interviewed individually. After a short break, a beautiful luncheon was served by the Gladbrook Gals and Guys 4-H Club. Following the luncheon, the girls gave a 3-5 minute speech that they prepared from a list of choices provided by the committee. The girls and their guests were excused and the judges retired to make their decision. Their choices for queen and princess were sealed in envelopes that were opened at the crowning ceremony. 2013 queen, Emma Knoop, daughter of Dean and Sharon Knoop of Clutier, welcomed the crowd of spectators and thanked those who made the evening possible. Sponsors included Tama County Fair Board, State Bank of Toledo, Angie Princehouse, Dawn Nekola, Tama Florist, Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center, Farmers Savings Bank-Traer, Great Western Bank, Casey’s-Gladbrook, Marcia Plett, Sherri Zmolek Sharon Knoop, Deb Kupka, Gladbrook Gals and Guys 4-H Club, United Methodist Church of Gladbrook and Peace Church. Queen Erin Filloon, then joined Emma at the podium. Convertibles were provided by Larry and Corrine Jensen, Lynn and Claire Handorf, Grant and Susan Strohbehn, Brett and Beth Miller and Mark and Darbie Lynch. They introduced the candidates one by one with their escorts. Escorts were Jeff Filloon, Jake Hlas, Andrew Kajer, Landon Calderwood and Garrett Groth. A short version of “Apples to Apples-Tama County Fair Queen” entertained the crowd after each candidate presented her speech. Then came the moment the crowd had been awaiting, crowning the 2015 Tama County Fair Queen. The sealed envelopes were then opened revealing the judges results. Jessica Ubben was crowned Princess and presented a sash, tiara and gift bag. Amid cheers from the crowd, the second envelope was opened revealing Aubree Beenken had been chosen to serve as the 2015 Tama County Fair Queen. Aubree was presented the crown, sash, gift bag and her bouquet of roses. Watch for Aubree at the State Fair beginning August 12th. The crowning will take place Saturday, August 15th at 7:00 pm on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage.