Charles City youths shine in big Iowa State Fair contests

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Two Floyd County youths placed highly in events at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday.

Jada Litterer was named third runner-up in the Iowa State Fair Queen Contest. She is the daughter of Steve and Lori Litterer of Charles City.

And Brennan Ruzicka’s steer, Peaches, shown with Brennan’s help by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, was named in the top five finishers of the Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show.

In the State Fair Queen Contest, Litterer had been crowned the Floyd County Fair Queen at the Floyd County Fair in July and was among 103 contestants for the statewide title.

Elli Blackford of Clarke County was crowned the 2024 Iowa State Fair Queen Saturday evening on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage at the State Fairgrounds.

Lauren Long of Appanoose County was named first runner-up, second runner-up was Nora Pickhinke of Sac County and Litterer of Floyd County was named third runner-up, winning a $500 scholarship and a $200 gift card.

Queen judging is based on personality, attitude, awareness, leadership, citizenship, contributions to the community, overall appearance, charm and poise, according to information from the Iowa State Fair.

All members of the Royal Court receive a plaque from the State Fair and a floral bouquet from Boesen the Florist.

This year’s Charity Steer Show raised a record $568,000.

Brennan Ruzicka is the son of John and Michelle Ruzicka of Marble Rock and his entry was sponsored by the Friends of Floyd County.

Including this year’s donations, the Charity Steer Show is inching close to $6 million in donations since its inception in 1983.

​​All money raised benefits the three independent Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa located in Des Moines, Iowa City and Sioux City. These three houses have served more than 55,000 families from all 50 states and many foreign countries. Families from all 99 counties in Iowa have benefited from the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa.

“This worthy cause supporting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa is a celebration of our great cattle industry, and highlights how important this industry is to the state of Iowa,” said Gov. Kim Reynolds. “I applaud the next generation of producers, our youth exhibitors, for their dedication and hard work and their drive to help others in need.”

The grand champion steer was Whopper, raised by Emma Norman of Searsboro, shown by radio personality Jeff Angelo.

Following the show, a live auction was conducted to raise funds through the sale of each steer and additional value-added items donated by industry supporters and celebrities.

These funds were added to the donations received by each youth participant, resulting in the $568,000 donation going to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa.