Thrill of victory at the Adams County Fair Baby Contest
Published 4:49 pm Tuesday, August 4, 2026
MENDON — More than 100 people packed the Heritage Farms Pavilion at the Adams County Fairgrounds on Saturday for the fair’s annual Baby Contest, one of the event’s most popular traditions, with winners named across four age divisions.
The 2026 contest, held at noon Aug. 1, drew entrants ranging from infants to 2-year-olds, with judges recognizing top honors as well as specialty awards for best farm outfit, best personality, cutest giggle, best animal outfit, and prettiest eyes.
0-6 month division
Kade Strieker, son of Donald Strieker and Kiersten Lawrence of Quincy, and Maelle Lee, daughter of Adam and Narelle Lee of Liberty, were named the 2026 Adams County baby boy and girl in the 0-6 month category.
Specialty award winners in the division included Beau Reed, son of Landon and Olivia Reed of Ursa, for best farm outfit; Jackson Spillman, son of Logan and Lily Spillman of Quincy, for best personality; Baris Bockenfeld, daughter of Kelly and Kelsey Bockenfeld of Quincy, for cutest giggle; Delilah Presnell, daughter of Justin and Tabitha Presnell of Quincy, for best animal outfit; and Boston Ehrhardt, son of Dakota and Katie Ehrhardt of Mendon, for prettiest eyes.
7-11 month division
Judges selected Zayden Stodgel, son of Carmelo and Sabrina Stodgel of Mendon, and Lily McCleary, daughter of Kody and Erica McCleary of Paloma, as the division’s top boy and girl.
Additional honors went to Bodie Tennis, son of Lucas Tennis and Natalie Hildebrand of Fowler, for best farm outfit; Hogan Clevenger, son of Cailin and Danielle Clevenger of Quincy, for best personality; Dallas Frese, daughter of Piper Zarbano and Ian Frese of Quincy, for cutest giggle; Rhiannon Maggart, daughter of Raven Sickman and Tyler Maggart of Quincy, for best animal outfit; and Emery Kurfman, daughter of Abby and Elijah Kurfman of Quincy, for prettiest eyes.
One-year-old division
Owen Muegge, son of Luke and Hannah Muegge of Mendon, and Emersyn Caster, daughter of Dallas and Tehya Caster of Coatsburg, were named the division’s top boy and girl.
Holden Waterkotte, son of LB and Hila Waterkotte of Liberty, won best farm outfit. The best personality award ended in a tie between Zayden Edlemon, son of MaKenzie Farley and William Edlemon of Quincy, and Christopher Kistner, son of Chris and Lacey Kistner of Quincy. Maria Caldwell, daughter of Melanie Drescher and Ryan Caldwell of Quincy, won cutest giggle, and Lorri’yana Lewis, daughter of Emilea Klauser and Detalyz Lewis of Quincy, won best animal outfit.
The prettiest eyes award also ended in a tie, with honors shared by Adalyn Marquess, daughter of Tyler and Abigail Marquess of Camp Point, and Alaina Tate, daughter of Kayla Phillips and Zach Tate of Quincy.
Two-year-old division
Bohannon Dietrich, son of Josh and Danielle Dietrich of Liberty, and Hazel Bohan, daughter of Dalton and Lisa Bohan of Quincy, were named the division’s top boy and girl.
Trenton Neisen, son of Tanner Neisen and Lexi Summers of Liberty, won best farm outfit. Stocktyn Klauser, daughter of Kevin and Dallas Klauser of Liberty, won best personality, and Murphy Marquess, daughter of Tyler and Abigail Marquess of Camp Point, won cutest giggle.
The Baby Contest is a longstanding staple of the Adams County Fair, drawing families from across the region each summer to compete for the honors.
