Rice County Fair Ambassador Program is Saturday

New Rice County Fair Ambassadors and Junior Fair Ambassadors will be named during a program Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. on the Rice County Fairgrounds.

The event will be held in the Cannon River Room which is a Commercial Exhibits Building during the fair and used to be a Gymnastics Center.

The Rice County Fair Ambassador program is in it's fourth year.

I was blessed once again to be asked to emcee the event so I attended a delicious dinner in the Straight River Room in the same building Tuesday evening, July 11, 2023.

The meal capped a long day of judging for the candidates.  To be honest it has to be very hard to determine who the representatives of the fair will be this year.

All the candidates in attendance seemed eager to represent the Rice County Fair during the 2023 event which is Wednesday, July 19, 2023 through Sunday, July 23, 2023.

In addition they will represent the fair at various parades throughout the year promoting the event, "Where the city meets the farm."

Here are the 2023 Rice County Fair Ambassador Candidates. Bios are provided by the candidates.

Talor Velishek, is the 19-year-old daughter of Jessica Lakin and Zach Velishek. Talor graduated from Faribault High School in 2022 and currently attends Grand Canyon University to study nursing. Talor is interested in becoming one of the Rice County Fair Ambassadors because it would give her the opportunity to carry on the legacy of spreading joy and kindness throughout the fair and community. She believes the program would allow her to develop many new skills and gain opportunities. Throughout high school Talor was involved in DECA, link crew, the emeralds dance team, the golf team, and theater at Paradise Center for the Arts. In her free time she enjoys anything outside, swimming, camping, traveling, hanging out with friends and working the Godfathers Pizza Truck. Talor's favorite memories at the fair include spending time with friends and enjoying the delicious food.  Talor is sponsored by Two Rivers Tree Service of Faribault.

Emma Snesrud, is the 17-year-old daughter of Ray and Dawn Snesrud. Emma will be a senior at Faribault High School this fall and plans to go to school to become either an ultrasound tech or radiologist after graduation. Emma would like to be one of the Rice County Fair Ambassadors because she thinks it would be a great way to support the community and grow in her public speaking and communication skills. Emma is involved in with her church lights team and youth group. She has also been involved in a group called CAST for college prep and American Heritage girls. In her free time she enjoys painting, fishing, paddle boarding, and baking. Some of Emma’s favorite memories at the fair are seeing all of the animals and making dolls out of corn cobs at the historical society. Emma is sponsored by Water Heaters Now of Faribault.

Allison Norton, is the 17-year-old daughter of Alica and Tyler Norton. Allison will be a senior at Faribault High School in the fall. Allison would like to be one of the Rice County Fair Ambassadors because she believes it would give her the chance to be a positive role model in the community. Allison has participated In many different activities including softball, tennis, speech, FHS science and math teams, theater, and orchestra. In her free time, Allison enjoys reading, hiking and spending time with her friends, family and dog Zeus. Allison's favorite part of the fair is attending each year to walk through the barns to see the animals and enjoying all of the food. Allison is sponsored by Flom Disposal.

Karly Chmelik, is the 19-year-old daughter of John and Stacy Chmelik. Karly is a Faribault High School graduate of 2022 and currently attends South Central College to complete her generals. Karly would like to be one of the Rice County Fair Ambassadors because she thinks it would be a fun experience and she would like to meet many people at the different events. Some activities she has been involved in include dance line, trap, theater, and choir. At college Karly is a member of student senate where she is the director of communications. Karly has also volunteered for many different events in her hometown of Morristown. In her free time, she enjoys reading, bike riding, drawing, and working as a counselor at Camp Omega. Karly’s favorite memory of the fair is coming with her aunt on daycare day to see all the animals and ride the rides, and one year she won a bike. Karly is sponsored by Wagner Farms of Morristown.

Emma Dienst is the 17-year-old daughter of Kashina and Mark Moriarity. Emma will be a senior at Faribault High Schools this fall and hopes to attend Riverland Community College for agricultural diesel welding after graduation. Emma would like to be one of the Rice County Fair Ambassadors because it is a chance to get involved in the community and gain leadership skills. Emma is a member of the Faribault FFA chapter and served as the 2022-2023 Chapter President. Emma also enjoys playing trumpet in a band and got the opportunity to play at the MN State FFA Convention. One of Emma’s favorite memories at the fair is attending the demolition derby with her family each year and walking though all of the animal barns to see the 4-Hers working with their animals. Emma is sponsored by Matt and Casie Steeves.

Kendra Hanson, is the 17-year-old daughter of Alex and Darla Hanson. Kendra will be a senior at Bethlehem Academy in the fall and hopes to attend South Dakota State University to major in Agricultural Education following graduation. Kendra would like to be one of the Rice County Fair Ambassadors because she believes it would allow her to enhance her leadership skills and be a representative of Rice County. Kendra is a member of the Warsaw Willing Workers 4-H club and has held many different leadership positions at both her club and county levels. She is also a member of FFA, basketball, and softball at Bethlehem Academy. Some of the hobbies include working with animals, crafting, and working with children. One of Kendra’s favorite memories of the fair is the first year she showed cattle and she won reserve champion and got to take her cow to the state fair. Kendra is sponsored by Brazil's Barber Shop of Faribault.

Below are the Junior Ambassador Candidates.  Bios are provided by the candidates.

Evelyn Miller, is the 10-year-old daughter of John and Brandis Miller. Evelyn will be a 6^th grader with fall at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown and her favorite subject in school is math. Evelyn is a member of Waterville Just For Kix and competes on the lyrical, kick, jazz and hip hop teams. She is also a member of the Warsaw Willing Workers 4-H Club and enjoys showing all of her projects at the fair. Evelyn would like to be one of the Rice County Fair Junior Ambassadors because she hopes to inspire other girls in the community and show others they can do anything they put their minds too. Her favorite memory of the fair is showing off her clothing projects at the 4-H fashion review. Evelyn is sponsored by Camp Omega.

Yareli Monterrosa, is the 8-year-old daughter of Maria and Edi Monterrosa. Yareli will be a 3^rd grader at Roosevelt Elementary School this fall and her favorite subject is art. She enjoys many different activities including gymnastics, swimming, cheerleading and wrestling. Yareli would like to be one of the Rice County Fair Junior Ambassadors because she likes going to the fair each day and meeting new people. Her favorite thing to do at the fair is eating chilly cheese fries and going to the rodeo with her best friend. Yareli is sponsored by Faribault Transportation.

Adele Johnson, is the 7-year-old daughter of Scott and Rachel Johnson. She will be starting 3^rd grade this fall at Roosevelt Elementary School, and her favorite subject is math. Outside of schools Adele enjoys gymnastics and BMX. Adele wants to be one of the Rice County Fair Junior Ambassadors because she loves going to the fair and meeting new friends. Her favorite things about the fair is getting to go with her family on rides and eating cotton candy. Adele is sponsored by Hometown Garage Doors of Faribault.

Kaitlen Clark, is the 9-year-old daughter of Sarah and Jay Clark. This fall Kaitlen will be a 4^th grader at Lincoln Elementary School and her favorite subjects are reading and writing. Kaitlen has been in gymnastics for 6 years and enjoys showing off her skills. During the summer she enjoys attending STEAM. Kaitlen would like to be one of the Rice County Fair Junior Ambassadors because she wants to get involved in the community and thinks that being a Junior Ambassador will help her to gain new skills. Her favorite memory of the fair was participating in the Kids Pedal Pull last year, it was her first time doing it! Kaitlen is sponsored by Grandpa David Grocott and Grandma Merodie Clark.

Waylon Richardson, is the 7-year-old son of Dylan and Heather Richardson. He will be a 2^nd grader this fall at Most Holy Redeemer and his favorite subject in school is art. Waylon is involved in swimming, baseball and is an active member at St. Patrick, Shieldsville. At the fair he enjoys showing his general projects and a pig as a Cloverbuds in 4-H. Waylon would like to be one of the Rice County Fair Junior Ambassadors because he thinks it would be fun and he wants to experience all the different things at the fair. Waylon’s favorite memory of the fair is watching his Uncle Logan in the derby. Waylon is sponsored by The Hoy Family.

Harper Hewitt, is the 8-year-old daughter of Mark and Sara Hewitt. This fall Harper will be a 3^rd grader at Faribault Lutheran School and her favorite subjects in school are science and reading. Harper is a member of the Warsaw Willing Workers 4-H club and enjoys showing her sheep at the fair. She is also involved in volleyball, gymnastics, track and field and cheer team at school. Harper would like to be one of the Rice County Fair Junior Ambassadors because she wants to meet new people and learn new things. Her favorite part of the fair is seeing all the animals in the barns. Harper is sponsored by Maple Wood Farms.

Here is a combined photo of all the Rice County Fair Ambassador and Junior Ambassador Candidates for 2023.