Miss Claire Walker Crowned 2024 Missouri State Fair Queen

Miss Claire Walker, of Chillicothe, was named the 2024 Missouri State Fair Queen in a ceremony held yesterday, Thursday, Aug. 8. Miss Walker received the highest score of 31 contestants vying for the title in the two-day competition, held in the Mathewson Exhibition Center. Miss Walker will reign over the remaining State Fair events and be an ambassador for the State Fair and Missouri agriculture throughout the coming year.
Miss Walker is 19-years-old attending the University of Missouri majoring in Agribusiness Management. As Queen, she will receive a $2,000 scholarship to continue her education. Miss Walker entered as Miss Livingston County and is the daughter of Brice and Tiffany Walker.
Miss Walker said she is most looking forward to “appreciating the finer moments of the Fair like handing out ribbons at shows and meeting young exhibitors.” Her favorite stories come from hanging out in the cattle barns getting her cattle ready to show with family and friends.
Miss Walker has participated in the Fair in numerous activities including showing Simmental cattle, exhibiting in the both 4-H and FFA Buildings. She has also volunteered her time at the Missouri Cattlemen’s Beef House.
Participants in the Queen Pageant were judged in multiple areas including interview, speech, talent and evening gown.
Rachel Ancell, Missouri Sheep Producers Representative, was named first runner-up and will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Second runner-up went to Miss Scotland County, Emma Harvey, who will receive a $500 scholarship. The third runner-up honor went to Miss NEMO Fair, Allison Pollard, who will receive a $350 scholarship, and the fourth runner-up honor went to Miss Platte County, Trinity Wrightfield, who will receive a $250 scholarship.
Recognition plaques went to contestants ranking highest in each of the four competitive categories: Abby Loesing, Miss Washington Town and Country Fair, received top ranking in Interview; Miss Ancell received top ranking in Speech; Miss Pollard received top ranking in Evening Gown; and Miss Johnson County, Taylor Skelton, received top ranking in Talent.
Photo of Miss Walker available for download from the Fair’s Flickr page.
Past Missouri State Fair Queens

Kelsey Miller

Elsie Kigar

Rosie Lenz

Chloe Momphard
Troy

Samantha Nelson
Higbee

Natalie Ayers
Green City

Lani Ogle
Sarcoxie

Destiny Reed
Palmyra

Hannah Keene
Warrenton

Ashley Bauer
Warrenton

Emily Wood
Palmyra

Meredith Jones
Dawn

Megan Westhoff
Memphis

Samantha Wilkerson
Paris

Whitney Wallace
Clinton

Katie Allen
Marceline

Tyne Morgan
Lexington

Megan Perry
Bethel

Leah Reid
Sweet Springs

Staci Holland
Halfway

Kelly Rohlfing
Fayette

Amanda Dyke
Moberly

Carrie Cowgill
Columbia

Lori Reid
Sweet Springs

Cheri Thornhill
Troy

Denette Roderick
Lebanon

Tracey Reynolds
Queen City

Shelly Beemer
Chillicothe

Lisa Stottlemyre
Trenton

Amy Schneider
Fayette

Leann Murphy
Hannibal

Amber Green
Steelville

Nina Kay Donovan
Holliday

Sarah Shively
Shelbyville

Sheryl Huecker
Bunceton

Paige Schroeder
Marshall

Wendi Elliott
New Cambria

Mary Hamilton
Carthage

Katherine Mitchell
Lexington

Laurie Ann Engle
Maryville

Barbara Webster
Jefferson City

Connie Freese
Salisbury

Teresa Bilyeu
Springfield

Janice Welter
Oran

Anita Vanetti
Parkville

Susan Wilson
Fredericktown

Monica Huber
Washington

Marilyn Barban
Kirksville

Cynthia Kueck
Columbia

Becky Rives
Paris

Jeanne Thurman
Atlanta

Cherry Barker
Drexel

Ann Bruckerhoff
Hermann

Janet Seals
Tripplet

Raymona Rohlfing
Fayette

Debbie Hansbrough
Monroe City

Leta Jane Bock
Charleston

Karen Womack
Washington

Jennifer Horton
Stockton

Sharon Holt
Kennett

Marsha Marquardt
Independence

Sarabeth Stevens
Palmyra

Jeannie Ennis
Kansas City

Fran Strubberg
Washington

Kay Burns
Caruthersville