The exciting news of the weekend, Miss Sweet 16 of 2021, and your 2023 Henry County Fair Queen 18-year-old Kalayna Durr of New London is now your reigning 2023 Iowa State Fair Queen.
Durr was chosen out of 104 competitors from across Iowa, were all contestants were previously crowned queen of their respective county fairs. Durr was inspired to run for State Fair Queen this year by Kelsey Smith, one of the Henry County Fair Queen organizers, 2013 Iowa State Fair Queen, and Durr’s 4-H Clover Kids leader.
Durr is the daughter of Tony and Ann Durr, Daniel Hester and Deana Boecker.
In addition to her crown, sash and trophy, the title of State Fair Queen comes with a few extra bonuses: Durr received a total of $9,000 in scholarship money, plus a floral bouquet from Boesen the Florist, a $600 gift card, a pair of diamond earrings, cowboy boots and an Iowa State Fair Brick from the Blue Ribbon Foundation.
Durr will serve as Fair Queen until the next Iowa State Fair, which will take place Aug. 8-18, 2024.
Also representing Henry County at the Iowa State Fair, Delaney Anderson made it through the 1st round of the Bill Riley Talent Competition singing “Country Roads Take Me Home” acapella. Delaney is a 6th grader this year and holds the winning title from the Henry County Bill Riley Sprouts competition.