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BELLVILLE — Audrey Bowman said hearing her name called was an unexpected moment.
It left her both shocked and excited to accept the 2026 Bellville Fair Queen crown Wednesday during the 176th Bellville Street Fair.
“I definitely was shocked just because my aunt and my mom won fair queen,” Bowman said. “I feel like I felt a lot of pressure to go up here all by myself and to do it and to risk that. But overall, I was so excited.”
Family connection added significance to Bowman’s first year participating in the Bellville Fair Queen Program.
She said she felt pressure to take the stage and represent her family, but ultimately focused on staying calm and enjoying the experience. Preparation for the competition included practicing her speech, drinking plenty of water and taking deep breaths.
“I would say just trying to stay calm and just remember that I was doing it for my mom and my grandma,” Bowman said.
Bowman said her favorite part of the competition was answering questions on stage.
“No matter how nervous I got, I think that was definitely the most fun,” she said.
Photos by Brooke Badgley
The competition included interviews and on-stage questions about the contestants, their community and agriculture.
Organizers said they were looking for a confident, well-rounded young woman who would communicate with people inside and outside their own community confidently — someone who would advocate for Bellville and embrace their role of fair queen.
Marin Ocheltree was named first runner-up, while McKenley Knuckles was named second runner-up.
The Bellville Fair Queen Program has represented the Bellville community since 1974.
As queen, Bowman will have opportunities to participate in parades, volunteer and represent her community while connecting with other fair queens throughout the year.
Bowman said she was grateful for the support she has received over the years from the community.
“I’m just so grateful that our community came together,” she said. “I feel like we are a prominent name in the community and I am just grateful that people came out and saw.”
Bowman also encouraged younger girls who may be interested in participating in the competition to not let nerves prevent them from trying.
“Confidence is key at the end of the day. Just to believe in yourself and it’s not really as scary as people make it out to be,” Bowman said.
The outgoing 2025 Bellville Fair Queen, Addison Johnson, also reflected on the past year reigning as queen and everything she has done. Johnson said serving as queen has helped build her confidence, given her opportunities to encourage younger girls and allowed her to make connections.
Johnson said she was excited to pass the crown to another girl and give her the same opportunities she experienced during her year as queen.
Now, Bowman begins her year as the 2026 Bellville Fair Queen, carrying on a family tradition while representing the community.
