MANSFIELD — Fair royalty runs in the Rodman family.
Trent Rodman was crowned the 2025 Richland County Junior Fair king on Sunday evening, one year after his older sister, Gracie Rodman, was selected as the 2024 Junior Fair Queen.
“She is the main reason I decided to run,” the new 16-year-old king said afterward. “She really wanted me to try and I was like alright, I’ll give it a shot.”
Rodman was joined as new fair royalty by Payton Byrd, 16, who was selected the Junior Fair queen on Sunday.
Rodman, representing Freedom Wranglers 4-H and Shelby FFA, will attend Pioneer Career & Technology Center, pursuing an associate’s degree in engineering.
He takes all of his livestock projects through the FFA, including cattle, hogs, turkeys and goats.
“I just want to go out there and represent our fair and get our name out there,” Rodman said.
Rodman was one of the youngest candidates, turning 16 two months ago. He said he hopes it’s a great motivator for anyone considering running in the future.
“No matter how young you are, you have to go out and pursue your dreams,” Rodman said.
The Junior Fair King and Queen Competition is the 51st in the 175 years of the Richland County Fair, dating back to 1974.
Adam Floro, 2006 Junior Fair king, and Sarah Smith, 2023 Junior Fair queen, were the hosts for the evening event on the opening day of the fair.
The event judges were Jan Kuhn, owner of Kuhn’s Bridal and Formal Outlet; Lore’ Whitney, local attorney; Deb Eckert, former 4-H member and advisor; and Drew Eckert, former 4-H and FFA member and local farmer.
Judith Overocker, 4-H extension educator, said the goal for the night was for the contestants to let everyone know how much they enjoy the Richland County Junior Fair and what they would do as king and queen.
“The king and queen contests we have annually highlight some of our most talented and dedicated young people that are involved in the Junior Fair program,” Overocker said.
Honoring past royalty
While waiting for judges to announce the winners, past royalty came up on stage to be honored.
Past kings and queens shared their name, winning year and favorite fair food.
Chuck Miller, 1998 Junior Fair king, got a few laughs reminiscing on the time since his reign, sharing his favorite fair food is ice cream.
Later start, strong finish
Byrd is in her third of competition, competing for the Shelby FFA. She began her Junior Fair efforts in the seventh grade, exhibiting goats.
Her mother is a huge part of why she chose to run for queen.
“She has been having some health problems recently, so she just really wanted me to get out there and do this,” said Byrd, who has attended Shelby High School in the past, but will be at the Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center this year.
While Byrd is relatively new to the environment, she said she doesn’t let that stop her or hold her back from going after things about she is passionate.
“If you are new to it, or you want to get started, definitely do it. If it is your passion, then it is going to be great,” Byrd said.
Byrd said she is excited to see what the next year holds. She said she is looking forward to going out and meeting new people.
