Hi I am Elizabeth Behlen and I am the 2021 fairest of the fair. I am 21 years old and live in Vesper WI. I grew up on a small hobby farm with cows, tons of barn cats, and my horse named Jim. I am currently a student at the University of Wisconsin Platteville studying to be a middle school science teacher. Growing up I was a part of the Snyder 4-H club, this organization is what brought the Central Wisconsin State Fair to me. I watched as my older sibling began exhibiting and I knew I wanted to do that as well. I wanted to show whatever I could, cows, horses, even llamas.
I have always loved the energy that is in the air around fair time. The excitement of the exhibitors, the smell of fair food in the air, and the nervousness of the fair office. I still enjoy the excitement of the fair. Growing up and being a part of the fair has helped me become the person I am today. I learned so much about myself and how to work well with others over the years. The biggest thing that I learned from being a part of the fair was confidence.
Exhibiting at the fair gives you a different level of confidence. You are expected to speak to people that you have never talked to before, lead around a thousand pound animal by yourself and be responsible enough to take care of your project or animal on your own. I have carried these responsibilities with me throughout my life and now into my reign as Fairest of the Fair. I am thankful for everything the fair has given me and I hope it brings as much joy to others as it has brought to me over the years.