We have had a busy week here at WNZR. We have truly enjoyed covering the 2026 Knox County Fair.
For our Friday Favorites this week, our Morning Thing hosts shared our favorite memories from this year’s Fair.
Click HERE to hear from Marcy, Eric, Ethan, Daniela and Olivia or click the picture below.
WNZR was proud to broadcast live at the Knox County Fair Sale of Champions
Did you miss WNZR’s broadcast of the 2026 Sale of Champions? Good News!
You can find the full broadcast HERE or click on the link below.
Listen in as WNZR’s Joe Rinehart talks with the Grand Champions and Reserve Champion winners from this year’s Knox County Fair. You can also hear Marcy Rinehart give results from each animal sold. Thanks to all the buyers that participated.
You can find an album of pictures on our Facebook page and on the Scrapbook Page of our website wnzr.fm
The unofficial total from the Sale of Champions was over $89,500!
Market Beef
Dairy Market Feeders
Pen of 3 Market Lambs
Market Lambs
Turkeys
Market Dairy Steers
Market Goats
Broilers (Chicken)
Market Hogs
Market Rabbits
There was one 4H member with MULTIPLE ANIMALS in the Sale:
Ethan Swendal had the:
1. Grand Champion Dairy Market Feeder – sold for $3,000
2. Grand Champion Market Dairy Steer – sold for $3,500
3. Reserve Grand Champion Market Dairy Steer – sold for $5,500
Ethan’s Sale Total: $12,000
Congratulations to these special award winners that were announced at the Sale of Champions:
The Junior Fair Sales Committee presented a Hall of Fame Award this year.
This award recognizes individuals and organizations that go above and beyond normal efforts to benefit the sale, the Junior Fair and most importantly the Knox County Youth involved in 4H and FFA.
The 2026 recipient is: Larry Hall, long-time 4H Educator with the OSU Extension Office of Knox County
David Greer Award from Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club:
Presented in honor of David Greer and his legacy of serving the community. He has served as a trustee and Vice President of the Knox County Historical Society and secretary for the Knox County Ag Museum. His background is in teaching including 16 years at Danville High School. He served for many years as a volunteer with many 4H programs in Knox County.
The scholarships were presented by Wendi Fowler, Mike Copley, and Crystal Snell-Tomes from Kiwanis.
$500 scholarship – Lane Dugan
$250 scholarship – Austin Frazier
2026 Knox County Fair Royalty:
2026 Junior Fair Queen – Sophie Wolf
2026 Junior Fair King – Will Stokes
2026 Little Miss Knox County – Hallie Johnson
2026 Little Mr. Knox County – Karsten Tedrow
2026 Horse Queen – Luci Byler
2026 Horse Prince – Michael Carpenter
Knox County Junior Fair Outstanding Exhibitors:
Market Beef – Bailey Smith
Beef Feeder – Cade Strausbaugh
Dairy Market Feeder – Taylor Tyson
Market Dairy Steer – Ethan Swendal
Market Goat – Brock Mason
Rabbit – Blake Hegemier
Sheep – Sutton Reynolds
Swine – Addison Parker
Poultry – Bristol Hegemier
Turkey – Kennedy Black
Knox County Junior Fair Ambassadors:
Junior Poultry – Teegan Riddle
Senior Poultry – Adysson Gerhart
Senior Rabbit – Sophie Wolf
Junior Goat – Isabel Lewis
Senior Goat – Meira Bryant
Junior Swine – Priscilla Smith and Matilda Sulzer
Senior Sheep – Isabella Byler
Senior Dairy – Sierra Shields
Senior Beef – Lane Dugan
Junior Beef – Zoey Shelley
Horse Queen – Luci Byler
Horse Prince – Michael Carpenter
Knox County Cattleman’s Awards:
The Knox County Cattlemen’s Association presented a $500 scholarship to a student pursuing college or technical school education. The recipient is a current cattle exhibitor at the Knox County Fair pursuing their field of study in a post-secondary institution, preferably studying agriculture, specifically Animal Science. The applicant’s family will be current members of the Knox County Cattlemen’s Association.
2026 Scholarship Recipient: Lane Dugan from Fredericktown
Cattleman’s Awards:
Dairy Beef Herdsman: Austin Robinson
Beef Herdsman: Lane Dugan
Market Dairy Steer Grand Champion Carcass: Austin Robinson
Market Dairy Steer Reserve Champion Carcass: Kenzi Staats
Beef Grand Champion Carcass: James Stachler
Beef Reserve Champion Carcass: Bailee Smith
Beef Feeder – Born, Bred and Raised Grand Champion Award Winner: Malia Goodwin
Beef Feeder – Born, Bred and Raised Reserve Champion Award Winner: Cade Strausbaugh
Dairy Market Feeder – Born, Bred and Raised Grand Champion Award Winner: Gage Robinson
Dairy Market Feeder – Born, Bred and Raised sed Reserve Champion Award Winner: Austin Robinson
Market Beef – Born, Bred and Raised Grand Champion Award Winner: Austin Frazier
Market Beef – Born, Bred and Raised Reserve Champion Award Winner: Malachi Goodwin
Market Dairy Steer – Born, Bred and Raised Grand Champion Award Winner: Austin Robinson
Market Dairy Steer – Born, Bred and Raised Reserve Champion Award Winner: Gage Robinson
Senior Fair Board Scholarships:
The Senior Fair Board presented two $200 scholarships. These scholarships are for 2026 graduates and had an essay-driven application.
2026 Winners: Raegan Blanchard and Kenlee Fairall
Gage Moody Heart and Soul Award:
This award is sponsored by JDC Livestock and is dedicated to Gage Moody’s memory. It aims to recognize individuals who demonstrate the following qualities:
Kinsley Prosser and Haley Unger each were recognized with the Gage Moody Heart and Soul Award, and each received a $750 scholarship.
The Junior Fair Board also received a check for $500 from Farm Credit Mid-America. This check was given for their Stock the Trailer collection for a local food pantry. They are still collecting non-perishable food and monetary donations. You can drop off donations at the main Fair Board Office. Our Knox County Junior Fair Board is competing against other Junior Fair Boards across Ohio.
Love Like Linda Scholarship:
The family of Linda Dowalter is pleased to announce the establishment of the “Love Like Linda Scholarship.”
“Love Like Linda” is an inspiring concept encouraging individuals to embrace a life filled with compassion, kindness, and selflessness. It embodies the idea of living with an open heart, much like Linda – she was a mom, sister, aunt, and grandma, who was known for her unwavering love and generosity. Loving like Linda means actively listening to others, showing empathy, and offering support without expecting anything in return. It’s about positively impacting the lives of those around you, whether through small acts of kindness or significant gestures of support. By adopting this mindset, we can cultivate deeper connections and create a more compassionate world, one interaction at a time. The Dowalter Family is honored and pleased to present this scholarship to someone who embodies the personality Linda exhibited every day of her life and encouraged others to exhibit as well.
This nonrenewable scholarship will be issued to one individual meeting the following criteria.
• 2026 High School Graduate OR
• Exhibitor that 2026 is their last year of eligibility
• Good Standing 4H or FFA Member
• Will be or is currently attending a two- or four-year technical school or university/college
The applicant was required to write an essay answering the following prompt: “What the characteristic selflessness means to me”.
They were also required to submit two (2) letters of recommendation from non-family members explaining how the applicant exhibits selflessness.
Taylor Thorne was recognized with the “Love Like Linda Scholarship” and received a $1,000 scholarship.
NEW FOR 2026 – POMONA GRANGE SCHOLARSHIP
The Pomona Grange gave two $200 scholarships for qualified individuals who attend a technical school and have the intention of continuing their education and/or occupation in the agricultural industry.
2026 Scholarship Winners: Kenlee Fairall and Raegan Blanchard
Another NEW Scholarship was awarded based on this year’s theme for the Knox County Fair. The Building for a Stronger Tomorrow Award was presented to Will Stokes, this year’s Junior Fair King.
Thanks to our partners for helping us bring you live results from this year’s Sale of Champions.
Thanks to:
– CES Credit Union
– The Knox County Career Center
– Revere Roofing Company
– The Ruckman Group Auctions and Appraisals
– Valley ATV
– Wendys of Mount Vernon
The Knox County Junior Fair Board’s Stock the Trailer campaign is turning fair week into an opportunity to help families throughout the community.
WNZR’s Eric Brown spoke with Olivia Stern of Food For The Hungry, Captain Christine Moretz of The Salvation Army of Mount Vernon, and Knox County Fair Queen Sophie Wolf about the food drive, the need it addresses, and how fairgoers can take part.
Click HERE to hear the conversations!
Stern said Stock the Trailer has grown into a successful partnership between the Junior Fair Board and Food For The Hungry. Along with collecting food, the campaign helps raise awareness about hunger in Knox County and gives young people a direct way to serve their community.
That support is especially important as local food pantries continue to see more families asking for assistance. Stern said the need has increased significantly in recent years, making community food drives an important part of keeping pantry shelves stocked.
Captain Moretz said the donations arrive at an important time for The Salvation Army of Mount Vernon. Demand at its food pantry continues to grow, and the food collected through Stock the Trailer will help the organization serve local families.
The donations also support The Salvation Army’s summer day camp. Moretz said dozens of children receive breakfast, lunch, and snacks through the program each day.
Wolf explained that Stock the Trailer is also part of a competition sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America and Rural 1st. Participating county fairs compete to collect the greatest amount of donated food by weight.
Collection sites are located throughout the Knox County Fairgrounds, giving visitors several opportunities to donate during fair week.
Wolf said the project reflects the fair’s commitment to community service. While the fair celebrates agriculture and the accomplishments of local young people, Stock the Trailer also reminds visitors of the importance of helping neighbors who are facing food insecurity.
Click HERE to learn more about Food For The Hungry!
Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!
Click HERE to see the story from WBNS-TV!
One of the biggest and most anticipated days of the Knox County Fair is almost here! Junior Fair Sale Day returns Friday 7/31, bringing together hundreds of young exhibitors, local businesses, and community members to celebrate a year of hard work and dedication.
On The Morning Thing, WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart sat down with Jim Blanchard, President of the Knox County Junior Fair Sales Committee, to get an inside look at everything happening on Sale Day.
During the interview, Jim explains why the move to Friday has been a success for exhibitors, buyers, and volunteers alike. He shares how the schedule allows more people to participate while providing additional opportunities for students to showcase the livestock projects they’ve spent months preparing.
Listeners will also hear:
Throughout the conversation, Jim highlights that Junior Fair Sale Day is about much more than buying livestock. It’s an investment in the next generation. Students develop responsibility, leadership, communication skills, financial stewardship, and a strong work ethic through their animal projects—lessons that will benefit them long after the fair has ended.
Jim also expresses his gratitude to the countless volunteers, committee members, businesses, buyers, families, and community supporters who make Junior Fair Sale Day possible each year. Their generosity and commitment help create opportunities for nearly 1,500 Knox County youth to grow, learn, and succeed.
WNZR is honored to continue our tradition of bringing you complete coverage of the Knox County Fair, including Junior Fair Sale Day. We invite you to listen to this informative interview and learn how your support of the Junior Fair helps invest in the future of our community.
Tune in on Friday, 7/31 to hear our LIVE Broadcast from the Sale of Champions. We will start at 8am!
Thank you to Jim Blanchard for joining us and for his continued leadership in making the Knox County Junior Fair Sale a memorable experience for students and buyers alike.
Click HERE to hear the entire conversation OR click on the picture below.
The Knox County Fair is only one stop in a busy season for Bristol Hegemier. After fair week, she plans to attend several shows and conventions around the country before beginning classes at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
WNZR’s Josiah Styer talked with Bristol about that schedule, her work as the 2026 Rabbit Liaison, and the animals she is bringing to this year’s fair.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation!
Bristol is from Morrow County and is homeschooled at the 10th-grade level. She has been a member of the Red Brush 4-H Club for seven years and is serving her second year on the Knox County Junior Fair Board.
Her responsibilities include helping announce and set up shows, caring for animals when needed, and making sure the barns remain clean. As Rabbit Liaison, she also serves as a connection between exhibitors and the Junior Fair Board when questions or concerns come up.
Bristol will show rabbits and several types of poultry this year. Getting them ready includes regular cleaning, feeding and grooming so they are healthy and prepared for judging.
She is especially looking forward to the rabbit and poultry shows, two areas that have become an important part of her 4-H experience.
Bristol said the work has taught her responsibility and shown her how much care animals require. Some of her favorite memories include making friends through the fair and winning Master Showman in the rabbit show.
Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!
(Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography)
Between caring for broilers, helping with barn checks, and pitching in wherever he is needed, Nason Bryant has plenty on his plate during fair week.
WNZR’s Sue McDonald talked with Nason about his second year on the Knox County Junior Fair Board, the responsibilities that come with the role, and what he is looking forward to at the Knox County Fair.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation!
Nason is from Fredericktown and is homeschooled at the 12th-grade level. He has been a member of the Red Brush 4-H Club for six years.
As a Junior Fair Board member, Nason helps with a variety of tasks and works to be a dependable teammate. This year, the board is also assisting with barn checks following concerns involving exhibitors during last year’s fair.
Nason is showing two market broilers and said preparing them requires regular feeding, care, and attention to their health.
He is especially looking forward to the hog show and the track events.
Outside the fair, Nason has stayed busy helping on a farm and working in lawn care and landscaping. He also traveled to Florida in April and hopes to earn his driver’s license by the end of the year.
Nason said 4-H and the Junior Fair Board have helped him learn how to manage responsibilities, meet deadlines, and keep working when things become difficult.
Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!
(Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography)
Taking goats into stores and letting them listen to the radio may not sound like typical fair preparation, but Peyton Harris says those experiences help her animals become comfortable around people.
WNZR’s Sue McDonald talked with Peyton about showing pack and dairy goats, serving on the Knox County Junior Fair Board, and the confidence she has gained through 4-H.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation!
Peyton is from Frazeysburg and is a senior at East Knox High School. She also attends the Knox County Career Center, where she is studying health technology. Although her current program focuses on healthcare, she plans to attend law school after graduation.
She is a member of the Outsiders 4-H Club and East Knox FFA and is serving her second year on the Junior Fair Board.
As a liaison, Peyton helps make sure exhibitors are properly caring for their animals and steps in wherever assistance is needed. She is especially looking forward to the dairy market feeder show.
Peyton will show pack goats and dairy goats during the fair. Along with making sure they are equipped and ready for competition, she works to help them become comfortable around the public. That includes taking them into stores and playing the radio while they are nearby.
Once fair week ends, Peyton plans to travel to Jamaica.
She said her experiences through 4-H have helped her become more confident and taught her how to carry herself. One memory that stands out came when she participated in the Little Miss Knox County pageant. Peyton said the experience pushed her outside her comfort zone and encouraged her to improve.
Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair
(Peyton’s photo was not available)
Thomas Lane Hillier’s projects at this year’s Knox County Fair cover two very different areas: market rabbits and World War II combat photography.
WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talked with Thomas Lane about his years in 4-H, his role on the Knox County Junior Fair Board, and the work behind both projects.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation!
Thomas Lane is from Bellville and is a homeschooled sophomore. He has been a member of the Clovers of the Valley 4-H Club for 10 years and is now serving his third year on the Junior Fair Board. He is also one of the board’s secretaries.
This year, he is showing market rabbits. He explained how he works with them ahead of the fair so they are prepared to be handled and presented during judging.
His still project focuses on combat photographers during World War II. Thomas Lane said the project gave him an opportunity to learn more about the people who documented the war and the conditions in which they worked. He also shared that he sometimes heads into a closet to find a quiet place to concentrate on the project.
His years of showing animals have included a few unexpected moments. Thomas Lane recalled one year when a stubborn goat jumped clean over his head during the show.
He said 4-H and the Junior Fair Board have taught him persistence. One of his favorite memories came during his first year on the board, when he was not fully prepared for how busy Sale Day would be but enjoyed relaxing with friends once it was over.
After the fair, Thomas Lane hopes to spend some time in the woods.
Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!
(Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography)
Kennedy Auker’s time with the Knox County Junior Fair Board began with one decision to get involved. Looking back, she says that choice helped put her on the path she is following today.
WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talked with Kennedy, the 2025 Knox County Junior Fair Queen, about her years at the fair, the opportunities she found through 4-H, and what comes next.
Click HERE to hear the full interview!
Kennedy grew up on her family’s Knox County farm and spent 11 years showing market hogs. She was also a member of the Knox Rocks 4-H Club and the Knox County Career Center FFA Chapter.
She served on the Junior Fair Board for five years. Although she is no longer officially a member, Kennedy continues to help during fair week and encourages younger exhibitors to become involved.
Kennedy said joining the Junior Fair Board became a turning point in her life. She believes taking a chance and introducing yourself to others can lead to opportunities you may never have expected.
As the 2025 Junior Fair Queen, Kennedy spent the year representing the fair, visiting events, and sharing information about Knox County’s fair programs.
She is now a sophomore at The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute, where she is studying agricultural communications. This summer, she is completing an internship with EMI Landscaping in Plain City while continuing to explore career options for after college.
Among her favorite fair memories are visits to the Parkette stand and the time spent with friends throughout the week.
Kennedy said one of her biggest lessons has been learning to love what she does, even during difficult moments. She also encouraged others to find someone they can rely on when life becomes challenging.
Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!
(Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography)
Trevor Mills has spent much of the summer getting sheep ready for the show ring, but his work at the Knox County Fair goes beyond caring for his own animals.
WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talked with Trevor about serving as the 2026 Sheep Liaison, helping manage livestock shows, and what he enjoys most about being part of the Junior Fair Board.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation!
Trevor is from Knox County and will be a junior at Riverview High School. He has been a member of the Outsiders 4-H Club for seven years and is now in his third year on the Junior Fair Board.
As Sheep Liaison, Trevor helps make sure shows stay organized, exhibitors are where they need to be, and problems are handled as they come up. He has worked with sheep for the past six years and understands the preparation required before fair week begins.
That work includes walking the animals, washing them, and making sure they are entered in the proper weight classes. Once the Knox County Fair ends, Trevor plans to continue showing at the Coshocton County Fair.
He said his years in 4-H have taught him to treat people with respect, whether he is working with exhibitors, fellow board members, or visitors.
One of Trevor’s favorite memories has little to do with competition. He remembers going to the beach with other Junior Fair Board members before the fair and enjoying time together away from their responsibilities.
Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!
(Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography)
Rise and Shine 