:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/QLGSXIRHK5B7RAHDZDTLFRU46E.jpg)
Nine girls from across the county took the stage in hopes of being crowned the 2025 Jasper County Fair Queen. The fair, which is celebrating its 170th year, will have a familiar face wearing the queen sash as 2024 Fair Princess and 2025 PCM graduate Meredith Chipps was selected during the ceremony held June 14 at the Newton Community Theatre.
“It means so much to me,” Chipps said. “I didn’t want to expect anything at all. I just knew that I was going to go out there and try my best. I knew a goal of mine was to become the princess and I knew I wanted to become the queen. I think it is just so special.”
Before Chipps was crowned queen, she had the honor of crowning the next fair princess. 2025 Newton graduate Ella Machin was selected for the role just after she was chosen by her fellow candidates as Miss Congeniality.
“This is huge. I remember when (Logan Chandler) was fair princess and we hung out all the time and I looked up to her. I am so excited to be a kind face for people at the fair,” Machin said. “(Being named Miss Congeniality) is such an accomplishment for me. All of these girls are amazing.”
The contest saw all nine girls show off their personalities by explaining what the theme of the fair “Cakes, Critters and Candles — Let’s Celebrate” means to them. From homemade cakes with each layer having a specific memory and meaning from the fair to slide presentations of pictures from fairs past and how it impacted them, the girls shared why that week is one they look forward to each year.
The ceremony continued with the girls in their formal wear answering randomly selected questions about the fair. Each candidate gave answers on the spot to questions such as “What would you tell someone who is interested in 4-H?” “What would you show someone who is going to the fair for the first time?” “Why do you want to be fair queen?”
The judges then took a break — and this year it ended up being an extended break — to choose the queen and princess. Before the crowns came out, the audience had a chance to hear from the 2024 Jasper County Fair Queen Libbie Keith and show her appreciation with a round of applause.
Chipps is more than excited to begin in the role of fair queen. It was her goal to hold the title and now she will get to the experience the fair she loves and be a part of its history.
“I love the fair and everything about it. I am so excited to have this role,” Chipps said. “I’m mostly excited for state fair and be with all of the other queen candidates. I’m just so excited about everything.”
2025 Jasper County Fair Queen Meredith Chipps
Chipps is the daughter of Mitchell and Melissa Chipps. She recently graduated from PCM High School. This fall she plans to attend Iowa State University. Some activities she’s involved in are golf, FFA, 4-H and National Honor Society. Chipps is excited to represent the Jasper County Fair as queen because she would like to meet more people from our county, make more memories and continue to express her love for our county fair to others.
2025 Jasper County FairPrincess Ella Machin
Ella Machin is a 2025 Newton graduate. She has lived in Newton all of her life with her family. Her parents are Ed and Meggan Machin. While in high school, she was involved in wrestling, cheerleading, trapshooting, FFA and HERO. She is excited to represent the Jasper County Fair as princess because 4-H and FFA has helped her become who she is today and she would like to give back to these organizations.