Fowler exemplifies everything grand about serving as fair king

There are immense requirements and expectations when someone is tabbed as a junior fair king or queen, and with those responsibilities come plenty of opportunities for a scrapbook full of memories.

For Garrett Fowler, performing all of his kingly duties and representing Holmes County at fairs and festivals around the state was a matter of showcasing everything great about his county, his community and the fair the best way he knew how, and that was to simply be himself.

“My time as the 2023 Holmes County Fair king has been an incredible experience filled with amazing memories,” Fowler said. “Going into the year was a little nerve-wracking as I didn’t know what I was really getting into, but I was very close friends with my entire court, allowing me to feel comfortable and be able to fulfill my potential.”

Fowler and newly elected Queen Alysa Pringle hit the ground running a scant two days after the fair ended.

“Alysa and I took our first trip of almost six hours of driving, and that was just the beginning,” Fowler said. “We continued throughout the year, trying to get to as many fairs as possible along with the rest of the court.”

He said while the car rides may have been long and the schedule busy and demanding, each visit to county fairs and city festivals was well worth the effort, and the memories they created were something he and the rest of the royalty team will always cherish.

“We made so many amazing memories such as karaoke parties in the car, amazing chats and even changing a tire on the side of the highway, and it all made us grow closer as a group,” Fowler said. “People keep asking me, ‘Why are you still going to fairs? Haven’t you met your requirements?’ While my answer is ‘yes I have met those requirements,’ I don’t want to cut my experience short, and I want to be able to represent our amazing county and fair at as many fairs as I possibly can.”

Much like Fowler, the rest of the royalty group is firmly entrenched in a multitude of activities including 4-H, where they remain active in their 4-H clubs, show animals and serve as Holmes County Junior Fair board members. They also have invested themselves into the West Holmes FFA effort, all of which only added to their willingness and ability to step up as leaders and shine when it comes to representing Holmes County.

“My fellow royalty members and I continue to plan trips to other fairs up until right before our fair, and I’m so excited to spend the rest of my time as fair king with this amazing crew, right up until the final moment,” Fowler said. “I am so beyond thankful for being honored with this position and the experience it comes with, and I am so excited to be able to crown the next court and watch them on their journeys as the 2024 Holmes County Fair royalty.”