For some of the 134th Gillespie County Fair Court, the role wasn’t something they had always dreamed of being. Kenna Tatsch, the current Gillespie County Fair Queen, said becoming a part of the court is not something she ever thought she could do, but she had known others who ran and had looked to them as role models.
Gillespie County Royalty
“So, when the time came for it to maybe be me, I took it and it has been so much fun so far,” she said. “I am really enjoying meeting new people at the many events that we hold at the fair grounds. Also, bonding with the girls is so much fun, expanding my friendships and getting close with them, as well.”
Queen’s court provides opportunities for community involvement. By Samuel Sutton Standard-Radio Post editor
Tamez said. “Watching the girls at the parades and different events around town looked like such an amazing opportunity and it seemed like a group I wanted to be a part of.” Grandjean and Hartmann both felt they could use this role to have a bigger impact on their community.
Kenna Tatsch
2022 Gillespie County Fair Queen.
“I did not expect to become fair queen,” she said. “As the girls and I work together, I appreciate even more what an honor it is to continue the tradition of the fair court and what it stands for.” Earning a spot on the court for Fair Duchess Ridley Strackbein became a focus three years ago, when a friend of hers ran. “The court skipped a year during my sophomore year because of COVID-19,” she said. “Then, that same friend called me up to tell me I only had one chance left to run now and I better do it for my junior year.”
“I wanted to be involved in my community and a role model for the little girls who look up to us,” Grandjean said. “It is a great honor and opportunity to be the young woman little girls wish to be.” She hoped to show young girls that being a part of this community is about more than just looking pretty and wearing a crown. “It is about integrity, responsibility and poise,” she said. “Being on this fair court has been a goal of mine ever since I have lived in Fredericksburg.”
Hartmann, a star basketball player for Fredericksburg High School, felt this would give her a chance to expand herself in the community For Annabelle Tamez, Ella Grandjean beyond sports. and Ella Hartmann, it was something “Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely they’d been working toward for a love the game and I am wanting to while. further my career in college,” she said. “Becoming a part of the fair court She can recall sitting on Main Street here in Gillespie County has been a watching the court’s float parade big goal of mine ever since I moved downtown and thinking she wanted to to Fredericksburg in the sixth grade,” be just like them. GILLESPIE COUNTY FAIR & FESTIVALS ASSOCIATION
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Ella Grandjean
2022 Gillespie County Fair First Duchess
Fair Holds Deeper Meaning Though their paths may be different, one thing is true. This fair is more than just a fair to these girls. “Growing up, the fair has meant many things to me, from winning goldfish at carnival games, helping decorate the 4-H fair board, showing goats, heifers and a reserve exotic steer, helping my family produce the grand champion bale of hay, to being crowned fair queen,” Tatsch said. “The people of Gillespie County are deeply rooted in agriculture and the fair is so important because it gives this community the opportunity to come together and celebrate our heritage.” Strackbein, Hartmann and Grandjean felt the fair also established family traditions in their homes growing up and was always a way to bring people together. “From my first merry-go-round ride with my Nana, to baking with my
