BRENHAM— The Washington County Fair has officially announced the five candidates competing for the title of 2026 Washington County Fair Queen under this year’s theme, “Kickin’ It Old School”.

The 2026 Fair Queen candidates are Monica Colanter, Brooke Mulder, Gentri Gutierrez, Lilly Baker and Barnes Koehl.

Colanter is a senior at Grace Lutheran School representing Grace Lutheran High School Athletics. She is the daughter of Eddie N. and Brit Colanter and the granddaughter of Bonnie Lewis.

Mulder is a junior at Brenham High School representing Washington County 4-H. She is the daughter of Rheagan Mulder and the granddaughter of Randy Gaskamp and the late Tina Gaskamp.

Gutierrez is a junior at Brenham High School representing Washington County 4-H. She is the daughter of Savannah and Matt Gutierrez and the granddaughter of Jody Schulz, the late Larry Schulz, and Terry and Matt Gutierrez.

Baker is a senior at Brenham High School representing Anchor Club. She is the daughter of Lacy and Raymond Sutton and the granddaughter of Carolyn Baker, William Baker, Laurie Sutton, and the late Ray Sutton.

Kohl is a junior at Brenham High School representing Brenham FFA. She is the daughter of Destre and Blaine Koehl and the granddaughter of Patsy and Rayburn Klussmann, and Deloris and Billie Koehl.

Selection of the Fair Queen will be determined by a combination of ticket sales, an oral interview, and a written essay. Candidates are competing for scholarships and various prizes.

The crowning ceremony will take place on at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday Sept. 12 at the Entertainment Pavilion.

Advance season tickets can be purchased online at washingtoncofair.com or directly through any of the queen candidates. Each season ticket grants admission to four days of fair events—running from Wednesday, September 16 through Saturday, September 19—including live music, rodeo events, livestock shows, commercial exhibits, and family attractions.

Established in 1868, the Washington County Fair holds the title of “The Oldest County Fair in Texas” and remains dedicated to promoting agriculture, horticulture, and education through youth scholarships.