Alexis Nickelotti bids farewell to 'Fairest' crown

For the Fairest of the Fairs whose year has just ended, the year has just flown by and everything she sees reminds her of the many fairs she has been to in the last year and people she has met.

Alexis Nickelotti represented the Vernon County Fair on her way to becoming the state's "Fairest of the Fairs 2011." During an emotional farewell speech to members of the Wisconsin Association of Fairs Jan. 18, she said she had learned more about fairs in the last year than she had ever dreamed possible.

"It's absolutely in my blood now and it's never coming out," she said, just before handing over her crown and sash to the young woman who would take over the role of statewide fair ambassador, Racine County's Richelle Kastenson. (See related story.)

Nickelotti recalled the mud that wrecked her shoes at some of the county fairs she attended along with the rodeos and mutton-busting events. She recalled some of the youthful exhibitors who were thrilled to get their ribbon from the "Fairest."

"But it's all about agriculture, and I loved it," she said, thanking everyone who helped her fulfill her fair obligations in the past year.

She gave a special thank-you to Brian Winnekins, a farm broadcaster in west-central Wisconsin who helped her with media presentations and was given her "Friend of the Fairest" award.

The tractor pulls, demolition derbies and entertainment events that are part of all the state's county and community fairs were a favorite, she said.

"There's also the food. That was one of my favorite parts," she said, with a smile, noting with pride that she had sampled deep-fried grilled cheese sandwiches and Snickers bars and lots of chocolate-covered foods "without gaining a single pound."

Nickolotti said she had learned a lot about the carnival and attraction business, getting tours from operators who showed her what goes on behind the scenes and how their staff members live while working at the many fairs they go to each year.

She said she also learned more about livestock. "I thought I was up on my animals," she said, "but I learned a lot about agriculture and different animals that are at the fairs."

Working at the Wisconsin Products Pavilion at the Wisconsin State Fair was also a highlight, she said, as she learned so much about some of the state's specialty products like cranberries.

Attending fairs from Superior to West Allis and many points in between was a learning experience that Nickelotti said she will always treasure. "I have evolved and taken this great opportunity to learn."

She thanked her family for showing up to support her throughout the fair season. They traveled to many of the fairs where she was making an appearance to give her moral support.

The contest for Fairest at this year's Association of Fairs convention was a tough one, Nickelotti said. "I saw so much pride and passion in this year's contestants."