January 5, 2026
Miss Jay County Fair Queen Gretchen Link finished as the fourth runner-up Sunday in the Indiana State Fair Queen Pageant at Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. Link became just the second Jay County queen to make the state fair court, following 1986 Indiana State Fair Queen Tina Schwieterman. The only others who made the top 10 were Beth Ninde in 1978, Jessica Howell in 2006 and Rachel Heitkamp in 2024. Presley Hampton of Jackson County was selected as Miss Indiana State Fair 2026. Others joining Link on this year’s court are first runner-up Kylie Cox of Tippecanoe County, second runner-up Addison Buckley of Hancock County and third runner-up Lexi Wilhoite of Vermilion County. (photo provided)
Stories this photo appears in:
Shining at state
Miss Jay County Gretchen Link finishes as fourth runner-up in queen pageant
Gretchen Link walked into the Indiana State Fair Queen Pageant over the weekend with the mindset that she was simply there for the ride. Then the judges named her to Miss Indiana State Fair Queen’s court.
You must login to comment.