2026 Lebanon Area Fair Queen, Alternate, Princess, and Junior Princess crowned

On the opening day of the 70th annual Lebanon Area Fair, Chelsie Bomgardner was crowned the 2026 Lebanon Area Fair Queen, and Anna Houser the 2026 Alternate Lebanon Area Fair Queen, by outgoing 2025 Lebanon Area Fair Queen and reigning 2026 Pennsylvania State Fair Queen Olivia Morrissey.

When asked how being involved with the Lebanon Area Fair has prepared her for her reign as fair queen, Bomgardner said, “Each little moment has built up to be a great impact, and I want to inspire to be that person who also makes a great impact on the fair — and maybe one day, a girl will look up to me and want to become fair queen as well. That’s my goal.”

Entering her senior year at Northern Lebanon High School, Bomgardner said the support from her family, including her sisters who have worn fair queen and dairy princess crowns, will help balance her responsibilities as the reigning fair queen.

“My family’s always there and supportive. If I need someone to go feed the animals or help me with this, they’re always ready and willing to help with anything I need,” Bomgardner said in her new crown and sash.

Looking to the future, Bomgardner will compete at the Pennsylvania State Association of Fairs’ annual convention in Hershey in January. Beyond the crown, Bomgardner is considering continuing her education to study finance or real estate — in hopes of turning her major into a career in agriculture, such as ag real estate.

Also in front of a packed pavilion on the opening day of the fair, Kennedy Sanders was crowned the 2026 Lebanon Area Fair Princess, and Tenley Fetzer the 2026 Lebanon Area Fair Junior Princess, by outgoing 2025 Lebanon Area Fair Princess Madalyn Troutman.

The process starts with the submission of an application, which includes a written essay in response to the prompt “what my fair means to my community,” for queen (ages 16-20) contestants and “what agriculture means to me” for princess (ages 13-15) and junior princess (ages 10-12) contestants.

During the early afternoon on the opening day of the fair, contestants are interviewed by a panel of judges. During the evening coronation ceremony, contestants introduce themselves, give a speech in response to the prompt “why you should come to my fair” for queen contestants and “agriculture in my everyday life” for princess and junior princess contestants, and answer an impromptu question.

This year, five queen contestants (Chelsie Bomgardner (crowned fair queen), Anna Houser (crowned alternate fair queen), Julia Wenger, Ada Martin, and Haylee Mullen), one princess contestant (Kennedy Sanders (crowned)), and three junior princess contestants (Tenley Fetzer (crowned), Ellie Eberly, and Ellie Dodson) arrived at the coronation ceremony by tractor-pulled wagon float.

Brooke Beamesderfer, the 2024 Lebanon Area Fair Queen and 2025 Pennsylvania State Alternate Fair Queen, served as emcee. Elizabeth Voight, Miss Pennsylvania USA 2026 with Lebanon Area Fair Queen roots, also shared remarks.

“Like the young women here tonight, I dreamed of representing my fair, giving back to something that’s given so much to me, and I was honored to be crowned the 2017 Lebanon Area Fair Queen,” Voight said. A Penn State alumna, Voight went on to become a first-grade teacher, girls’ basketball coach, and professional model.

Also during the coronation ceremony, 10 Lebanon Area Fair scholarship recipients (one of whom was absent) were recognized, with each being awarded a $2,000 scholarship.

Morrissey and Troutman gave their farewell speeches and recognized program co-coordinators, Andrea Harrell (pictured below, second from right in black t-shirt) and Ashley Bishop (right), with goodie baskets.

“I realized that being a fair queen isn’t about wearing a crown. It’s about being present, listening to people’s stories and sharing why this fair means so much to all of us,” Morrissey said, reflecting on her reign.

“To the incoming fair queen, alternate, fair princess, and junior princess, congratulations. I’m so excited to see you guys have lots of fun in your new roles. My biggest piece of advice is to enjoy every opportunity that comes your way,” Troutman said.