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The 96th annual Rock County 4-H Fair is July 22-27 at the Rock County Fairgrounds, 1301 Craig Ave., in Janesville. The theme of this year’s Fair is “Neon Lights & Country Sights.” For more information, including online ticket purchases and a full schedule of fair events, visit .

The four young women on the 2025 Honor Court ��� Madelyn Barber, Lauryn Elzy, Kaela George and Lucy Johnson ��� were chosen this spring for their ability to represent as a group, over the 6-day run of the fair, the values of the Rock County Fair, and for their ability to also singularly do that if selected Fairest of the Fair.

One of the four will be named Fairest of the Fair on Tuesday, July 22, the first day of the fair, starting at 6 p.m. with a traditional parade around the fairgrounds. That���s followed by the coronation ceremony at the Craig Pavilion.

���This year we have an exceptional group of girls,��� said Robin Heath, who chairs the Fairest of the Fair Committee. ���Any one of them will make a great Fairest of the Fair, and they will all be excellent representatives of the fair through the 6-day event this year.���

The young woman chosen Fairest of the Fair will go on to represent Rock County at the 2026 Wisconsin State Fairest of the Fairs competition in January.

MADELYN BARBER

Madelyn Barber is a Magnolia 4-H member who has the distinction of being active in both projects and animals.

���I guess you could say I���m a double-dipper,��� Madelyn said. ���I���ve shown swine, rabbits and chickens while presenting projects in home improvement, photography, youth leadership, baking and visual aids.���

The Rock County 4-H Fair offers something for everyone and, Madelyn says, she���s an example of that.

���There���s a place at the fair for everyone regardless of your interests,��� she said. ���As a member of the Court of Honor, I���m proud to be able to show off the talents of Rock County youth.���

A memorable moment for her at the fair was being a regular participant at the rabbit barn, Madelyn said.

���I have met so many people and created lasting friendships at the rabbit barn,��� she said. ���Those projects were real character-builders for me.���

If selected Fairest of the Fair Madelyn said she would promote the fair as a great place for everyone.

���Over so many years, the Rock County Fair has demonstrated that it���s just a great place for everyone and anyone.���

Madelyn is an Evansville High School graduate and plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, majoring in elementary education and business management.

LAURYN ELZY

Lauryn Elzy has been involved in the fair since joining as a Cloverbud when she was 5 years old. She is a member of the Badger 4-H Club,

���I just love all aspects of the fair,��� Lauryn said, sharing that it ���focuses on youth and shows people what they are interested in and what they can do.���

Lauryn said she had many memorable moments at the fair including one year when she brought 33 projects.

���If I���m chosen as Fairest of the Fair it would be an honor to not only be an advocate for the fair but to show everyone what the youth of Rock County can accomplish,��� she said.

Lauryn is a Janesville Craig High School graduate and plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, majoring in anthropology.

KAELA GEORGE

Kaela George is a member of Evansville FFA and part of a family that���s been involved in the Rock County Fair for generations. She grew up at the fair.

���I know the fair like the back of my hand,��� Kaela said. ���My dad, Ryan, and my grandparents, aunts and uncles all showed me what the fair is all about.���

The fair provides youth with many opportunities to develop interests, and is a learning experience, Kaela said.

���There are so many opportunities to learn new skills and improve on others,��� Kaela said. ���You learn to problem solve, and you develop the understanding that you need to see things through to their conclusion.���

A moment at the fair that stands out for Kaela was a chilly evening when she had no warm clothes with her, but wanted to stay to see the grandstand entertainment.

���The Florida Georgia Line was playing, so I curled up in a beach blanket backstage with a Billy���s baked potato,��� she said. ���It was a great night despite the temperature.���

Kaela graduated from Evansville High School. She plans to attend Iowa State University to major in animal science, on the way to a veterinary degree.

LUCY JOHNSON

Lucy Johnson has been active in the Rock County 4-H fair since age five. Her projects have included clothing, photography, food and home environment.

���I believe the fair is so important because it brings so many people together,��� she said. ���Whether you focus on projects like I did or show animals, the fair showcases talents of all kinds of kids.���

For Lucy, the fair is also a family event. Lucy remembers one day at the fair that brought generations of her family together.

���I was helping judge clothing along with my mom, grandma and sister,��� she said. ���That was a very memorable day.���

The fair���s history is an important point to be emphasized when representing the fair, Lucy said.

���The Rock County 4-H Fair is one of the last youth fairs and for that alone it���s unique and important,��� she said. ���It���s a fair that deserves all the attention and praise we can give it, and that���s what I will focus on if selected as the Fairest of the Fair.���

Lucy graduated from Evansville High School and plans to major in theater at Wheaton (Illinois) College.

The Rock County 4-H Fair seems to become a family event for those who have been a part of it over the years. For Robin Heath, the fair helped create a family.

���I met my husband for the first time at the fair 38 years ago,��� she said. ���I guess you could say the fair created a lasting relationship for me. We���ve been married now for 35 years.���