2024 Adams County Fair Queen Annymae Cluxton. (Photo by Mark Carpenter)
By Ryan Applegate
People’s Defender
As Adams County looks ahead to the 2025 Fair, scheduled for July 6 through July 12, the community also takes time to recognize the outstanding leadership and dedication of its outgoing royalty. Fair Queen Annymae Cluxton and Fair King Mitchell Ohnewehr have spent the last twelve months representing the county with pride, humility, and a genuine commitment to serving others. Their year in these roles has been filled with personal growth, new friendships, and countless memories that will last a lifetime.
For Annymae Cluxton, wearing the crown meant much more than fulfilling ceremonial duties. From the moment she was crowned, she embraced every opportunity to be a positive example, especially for the youngest fair visitors. One of her fondest memories over the past year came from simply sharing a moment with children who looked up to her. “It would have to be all the pictures I have taken with little kids from several different counties,” she recalled. “Seeing their little faces light up when they see you and hearing them say, ‘Mom, she’s a princess,’ or ‘Can I get a picture with you?’—watching them smile just warms my heart so much.”
Throughout her reign, Annymae traveled to 11 or 12 different counties, often deciding at the last minute where she would go. She balanced these visits with working part-time at First State Bank in West Union, making her schedule unpredictable but rewarding. “Visiting other county fairs was very spur of the moment,” she said. “I usually picked where to go the night before or the morning of.” Even with the hectic pace, she always made time to lend a hand, whether at the Adams County Junior Fair Beef BBQ or any number of livestock shows. “Helping out most definitely gives me that feeling of accomplishment, even if it is hotter than hades out,” she said with a laugh, reflecting on the long days of summer service.
Annymae’s year as Queen also helped her grow personally. “I have gotten to meet so many new people traveling to different counties,” she explained. “A first impression is what can make or break anything, but when you add a crown and a title, it turns up the pressure.” Over time, she became more confident in herself and in her ability to represent Adams County with grace. “I have become a lot more confident in who I am, which makes first impressions a breeze now.”
For Mitchell Ohnewehr, 2024 marked not only his time as Fair King but also his final year in 4-H, making every moment even more meaningful. “I don’t think I could pick just one moment as they all were good,” he shared. “I enjoyed every part, from handing out awards to meeting new people.” Like Annymae, Mitchell discovered that being part of fair royalty meant understanding just how much work goes into making the fair a success. “It has showed me that it takes a group effort to put in this amazing fair,” he said. “You can see some of the work that it takes, but there is so much more behind the scenes than you realize.”
Balancing multiple commitments was one of Mitchell’s biggest challenges. Between serving on the Junior Fair Board, showing swine, and fulfilling his duties as King, time management became a daily priority. “The first big thing was knowing this was my last year in 4-H and the last time for a lot of things,” he explained. “Number two was time management between being on Junior Fair Board, showing, and being King.” Mitchell was able to take time off work for fair week, and since there was no state contest, he could return to college without missing important obligations. Even with a busy schedule, he was always ready to step in and help, whether presenting awards at livestock shows or working behind the scenes to keep events running smoothly.
Both Annymae and Mitchell have advice for those who will follow in their footsteps. Mitchell’s words are simple but sincere: “Enjoy it. You only get to do this once. Soak it up and make as many memories as you can.” Annymae encourages future Queens to embrace both kindness and confidence. “Being confident in who you are and the words you say will make that good impression and can show the strong qualities that you have,” she said. “Keeping a kind attitude no matter the outcome shows a lot of respect and will go a long way.”
Looking back, both leaders agree that their year has shaped them in ways they didn’t expect. For Annymae, her understanding of what it means to be Fair Queen has transformed completely. “It used to mainly be about representing Adams County and nothing else,” she said. “After visiting multiple fairs and meeting so many new people, it isn’t just about representing Adams County—it is about being a role model for all, and to me, that means the world.”
As the county gets ready for another exciting fair season in July, Annymae and Mitchell leave behind a legacy of service, enthusiasm, and inspiration. Their dedication over the last twelve months has set the bar high for the next Fair King and Queen, who will soon step forward to create memories of their own.
