TRI-COUNTY FREE FAIR
HERINGTON, KANSAS
2025 Tri-County Free Fair
King and Queen Contest
Now accepting applications for the 2025 Fair King and Fair Queen. The contest is open to any active 4-H and/or FFA member. Candidates can range in age from 14 to 19, or any candidate who has not had their 19th birthday by January 1 of the current year. Educational scholarships will be awarded to all eligible candidates:
● Each King and each Queen award recipient- $1,000
● Each First Runner-Up award recipient - $500
● Each Second-Runner-Up award recipient - $250
● Any other eligible candidate who was not an award recipient - $100
Candidates will be judged based on a point system covering a personal interview and application packet, fair support monies, and their level of interaction during the fair. For more information the judge’s rubric is enclosed with the application packet. This contest is not limited to a single King or Queen candidate per club or chapter. If there are multiple candidates from a single chapter or club interested in applying, all are encouraged to do so.
Application Criteria
1) Must provide a current copy of their 4-H permanent record or FFA AET record.
2) Completed Tri-County Free Fair King/Queen Candidate entry form.
3) Two pages of pictures:
a) 1 picture is to be a formal portrait
b) 5 pictures to represent your 4-H or FFA experiences
*A candidate’s application packet will not be considered if all of the application criteria is not met.
Interview Criteria
Each candidate will have a personal interview with judges, which will include questions about your involvement with 4-H/FFA and your knowledge about the Tri-County Free Fair.
Fair Support Monies
Each candidate will be required to seek new fair support monies of $500 minimum from businesses located in the
surrounding counties for support of the Tri-County Free Fair. The top three King candidates and Queen candidates who
collect the most monetary sponsorship will receive extra points that will go towards their overall score.
*Candidates will not be considered eligible if their minimum support requirement is not met.
Fair Participation & Public Interaction
Candidates will also be judged based on their public interaction and their involvement with their predetermined assigned
activities the week of the fair. They will be judged based on their appearance, punctuality, and willingness to
help with their assigned duties.
Specific Duties of Candidates
1) Candidates will appear in nice jeans, polo or button-up shirt, and sash for any public appearance.
2) Candidates will participate in media interviews deemed fit by the Tri-County Free Fair Board for promotion of the
2024 fair to include radio, newspaper, or TV.
3) Candidates will make appearances in parades representing the Tri-County Free Fair.
a) All candidates will ride in the 2025 Washunga Days Parade and Tri-County Free Fair Parade
b) King & Queen Royalty will ride in at least 2 of 3 area parades during their reign as King & Queen.
4) Candidates will help with various aspects of the fair to interact with other 4-H/FFA members and the general
public. A predetermined schedule will be given to each candidate of their responsibilities at the fair, including but
not limited to:
a) Handing out awards & ribbons for 4-H/FFA shows.
b) Helping serve the parade meal.
c) Making appearances for both the rodeo and demolition derby on Friday and Saturday nights.
Latitude will be given to the candidates who are actively participating in a show or fair activity that conflicts with their predetermined fair schedule.
The crowning ceremony will be announced on Friday night during the rodeo. For this event candidates are to wear sashes, western professional attire, or FFA official dress. At this time the King and Queen, first runners-up, and second
runners-up will be announced.
An informational meeting to learn more about the program and application process will be on March 23rd, 2025, at 4:00pm. The Tri-County Free Fair Board Office is located at 820 S Broadway Street in Herington. For further questions
please reach out to either Lindy Trapp or Jennifer Duenas.