Wisconsin State Fair officials are proud to introduce the 2026 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs. She was selected this evening at the annual Wisconsin Association of Fairs Convention. A group of 32 talented county and district Fairest of the Fairs vied for this highly sought after role, and Kaelie Billingsley, 19, representing the Kenosha County Fair, was crowned this evening.
Billingsley will serve a one-year term through the 2027 Wisconsin Association of Fairs Convention. Throughout her tenure, she will attend more than 50 Fairs and events throughout the state. During those events, she will interact with the media, create content to share online and engage in meaningful conversations to promote the importance of Wisconsin’s many Fairs.
Billingsley is the daughter of Eric and Shelly Billingsley. She is currently earning a degree in Animal Science with an emphasis on Pre-Veterinary Medicine. She attends the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, and works on the campus farm in the beef cattle and equipment management division. Upon graduating with a doctorate, in veterinary medicine, she hopes to open her own veterinary clinic.
Additional Fairest Honorees
Alexa Heitkamp, 18, representing the La Crosse Interstate Fair, earned a second-place finish. She is the daughter of Jeff and Lyndsi Heitkamp of Mindoro, Wis. Her studies have taken her to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point where she is majoring in community sustainability. She hopes to help create a sustainable future for farmers and the land they depend on for their livelihood.
Savannah Briese, 19, representing the St. Croix County Fair, came in third place. She is the daughter of Melissa Briese of Hammond. Brise is aiming to earn a bachelor’s degree in business (with an emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation) and a minor in social media from Bethel University. She hopes to build her burgeoning auto-detailing business into a brick-and-mortar operation in the future.
In fourth place was Morgan Wirtz, 20, representing the Northern Wisconsin State Fair. She is the daughter of Charles Wirtz and Sarah Schultz of Chippewa Falls, Wis. A student at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, she is majoring in biochemistry while also serving as a campus ambassador in its admissions office. After earning her undergraduate degree, she hopes to apply to medical school with the goal of becoming a doctor.
Fifth place went to Kaela George, 18, representing the Rock County 4-H Fair. She is the daughter of Ryan George and Amy Thomas of Brooklyn, Wis. George was an active member of her Future Farmers of America chapter, where she assisted in hosting numerous events and fundraisers. She is currently enrolled in the animal science program at Iowa State University and wants to further her studies at ISU’s highly competitive college of veterinary medicine.
Maya Wiltzius, 20, representing the Fond du Lac County Fair, earned the Tim Heffernan Congeniality Award. She is the daughter of Jon and Jennifer Wiltzius of Fon du Lac, Wis. She is studying animal science at the University of Wisconsin and plans to find a career close to home so she can continue to contribute to the family’s campground attraction.
