Fair royalty crowned as the 2026 Knox County Fair officially begins Sunday in Mount Vernon

MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Fair celebrated one of its longest-standing traditions Sunday evening by crowning its 2026 fair king and queen during the opening ceremonies.

The Knox County Fair, in its 177th year, selected Will Stokes and Sophie Wolf as its 2026 Junior Fair royalty.

Also honored were the 2026 Knox County Fair Ambassadors and six Lifetime Inductees. Lifetime Inductees are recognized for their lifelong dedication to the fair and local youth. Inductees receive lifetime passes to the Knox County Fair.

The King: ‘The emotions just overtook me’

Stokes, a student at the Knox County Career Center, has spent the last 10 years showing market hogs at the fair.

“The fair means so much to me personally. It’s a place where friendships are made, relationships are formed and it never ceases to amaze me how much fun people have here,” Stokes said.

Stokes also serves as vice president of the East Knox Chapter of Future Farmers of America. After hearing his name announced as royalty, Stokes said the moment quickly became emotional.

“The emotions just overtook me. The first thing I thought of was my grandma and grandpa. They’d be so very proud of me and I just hope they’re proud of me,” Stokes said.

The Queen: ‘I was very surprised, very excited’

Wolf graduated last year after being homeschooled and will attend the Central Ohio Technical College this fall to study radiologic technology.

“I’m very interested in going back to school to become a doctor … but for now, just taking it one step at a time to see what I like, what I don’t like, and then we’ll go from there,” Wolf said.

Wolf was also honored as the 2026 Senior Rabbit Ambassador. She has been showing rabbits at the fair for seven years and continues to expand her involvement.

“I show rabbits, goats and this year is my first year showing chickens,” Wolf said.

When her name was announced as queen, Wolf said she was caught off guard.

“I was very surprised, very excited. I felt a lot of support because I heard the girls besides me cheering as well. That felt really nice,” Wolf said.

Wolf also joined her sister in singing the National Anthem during the opening ceremonies.

Wolf and Stokes will represent Knox County at fairs and community events across Ohio, where they hope to meet and get to know fellow 2026 county royalty.