Southwestern graduate named 2025 Shelby County Fair Queen

Ellie Gosser was still in shock after being crowned the Shelby County Fair Queen when she felt a tugging on her sash.

A precocious little girl was interested in Gosser’s sparkly dress and sash. The Southwestern High School graduate who recently finished her first year at Purdue University embraced the moment by dropping to the little girl’s eye level for a better view.

Within seconds, Gosser was removing her crown and placing it on the little girl’s head (photo below). The moment was a brief glimpse into the type of person that will be representing the Shelby County Fair, which begins June 9.

Ten contestants vied for the title Sunday night at the Wortman Family Civic Theater in Shelbyville. Four were selected for the 2025 Fair Court.

Farah Coen (main photo, standing left) was selected First Runner-Up; Jacklynn Corlett (main photo, standing right) was Second Runner-up; Audrey Berauer (main photo, standing middle) was voted Miss Congeniality.

The quartet of young ladies will embrace a busy schedule during fair week.

“The girls are so phenomenal,” said Gosser (main photo, seated). “My court is going to be so much fun to work with. Jackie and Farah and Audrey are amazing girls, and they are going to make fair week so much fun.”

Caroline Day and Kingston Waldon, both five years old, were selected as Little Miss and Little Mister, respectively.

Gosser was less than one month old when she attended her first Shelby County Fair. She has yet to miss a fair week, which motivated her to join the pageant this year.

“The fair is my absolute favorite week of the year,” said Gosser. “Since I am no longer a 4H member, I’ve done my 10 years, this is just another excuse to go back and have a reason to be there every day.”

There was a time when Gosser was the tiny little girl standing in awe of the fair queen and her court. Now, she gets to be that role model.

“I loved getting to see the queens when I was little. I thought they were so cool, and I always wanted to be one. It’s a full circle moment for me,” she said.

Gosser spent much of her 4H career showing animals at the Shelby County Fair. Being the center of attention was not an issue, but standing on a pageant stage proved a lot more nerve-wracking.

“I have probably never felt more out of place in my life,” she said. “I am not a pageant kid. I never claimed to be a pageant kid, but these girls made it so much fun. This was incredible.”

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