2026 Manchester Community Fair queen & runners-up, champions, & more

Added on August 31, 2026 Sara Swanson

2026 Manchester Community Fair queen & runners-up, champions, & more

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Photo courtesy of Manchester Community Fair.

by Sara Swanson

With the end of the evening, Saturday, August 22, came the close of the 81st Manchester Community Fair.

Manchester Community Fair president Angie Fuller thanked the fair board for everything, stating, “Without all of them, this fair would not be possible. Everyone has jobs they do and everyone is a very important part of making the fair happen year after year. Without all of them and all the sacrifices we all make throughout the year, none of this would be possible.”

Fuller thanked the non-fair board volunteers as well, adding, “To all the other volunteers that came out this year to help set up and tear down and offer support in some way or another, thank you so much. It really does take a village and this town shows up when needed.” She thanked the high school football team who volunteered specifically!

The parade kicked off the fair on Tuesday, and Fuller names it one of the best one in years with a huge turnout! John and Colleen Kemner were the grand marshals and were honored during the Fair Queens Contest, which took place immediately after. Madi Bennett was crowned the 2026 Fair Queen with runners-up as follows: 1st runner-up, Olivia Woods; 2nd runner-up, Abbi Austin; 3rd runner-up, Amanda Hieber (who was not present to receive her crown since she had to leave to show her pigs); 4th runner-up, Elle Woods; and Miss Congeniality, Giuliana Brothers.

Susie Simpson was awarded Homemaker of the Year and Kiira Black was awarded Jr. Homemaker of the Year. Esben Waters was awarded reserve Jr. Homemaker of the Year.

Animal showing took place during the week.

Swine grand champion was Patrick Ernst and reserve grand champion was Sydney Porter. Senior showmanship was Valorie Hieber, intermediate showmanship was Cassidy Hieber, and junior showmanship was Mason Czuj.

Steer grand champion was Anna Duvall and reserve grand champ was Caleb Bennedict. Senior showmanship was Dillon Neigebauer, junior showmanship was Emma Weidmayer, and beginner was Patrick McGoff.

Sheep grand champion was Morgan Herrst and reserve was Allison Blain. Senior showmanship was Alena Weidmayer, junior was Emma Weidmayer, and beginner was JJ Reiff.

Overall bunny winner was Winnie Klink and reserve overall was Meghan McLennan.

The hot dog–eating contest was new this year and Fuller reports they had a great turnout. The fair has decided it will be added as a regular feature of the fair going forward. This year winner was Maxwell Woods, who ate 8 1/2 hot dogs in five minutes.

The weather is a gamble in August in Manchester, but it was mostly perfect fair weather until the short rain shower on Friday. Afterword, things took a turn and two large storms swept through the area on Saturday. Fuller states that the carnival delayed opening for two hours due to the weather, but in the end it turned out to be a great evening. “Everyone came out for the rides, the rodeo, and the final night of the fair,” she stated.

Fuller again thanked everyone who volunteered with anything this year at the fair big or small and stated that the fair board is busy working on plans for the 2027 fair. She added, “If anyone has any ideas or thoughts, I encourage you to please reach out to the fair through our email, themanchesterfair@gmail.com. We are always looking for feedback, good or bad, to better the fair.” The fair board meets every second Wednesday of the month at 7pm at Alumni Memorial Field. All are welcome to attend.

Fuller concluded, “Thank you to Manchester for coming out. The volunteers. The board. The school and Anderson Midways for supplying the carnival. Looking forward to 2027.”