Schneider Looks Forward to Serving as Mo State Fair Queen

Bailey Schneider was crowed the 2025 Missouri State Fair Queen on opening day of the Fair, Aug. 7.

Bailey, 19, won the crown (and sash) after competing against 32 other ladies from across the state. She is the former Miss Warren County and is the daughter of Jeff and Jennifer Schneider.

We got a chance to sit down and chat with Queen Bailey on Monday morning.

“They were all absolutely amazing,” Bailey said of the other contestants. “I tried to take names and remember all of them and they were all awesome ladies. So I was happy to compete with them.”

She added that there a were a diverse range of talents seen during this year’s competition, such as one lady who sang a song using sign language.

“And there was Christina Cox, who won the talent portion. “ I gotta give her a shoutout, she gave the most beautiful rendition of Colors of the Wind from the Pocahontas movie.  She needs to be on American Idol. She has the most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard, Bailey said, adding that the competition was very stiff.

For her part, Bailey won the top speech award.

Bailey’s confidence level was not as high as her friends and family.

“I will say, I wasn’t expecting it at all. You know, were like ‘Oh we’re ready for you to get queen’ and  I was like ‘You guys are crazy, it’s not gonna happen,” she said. “Well, here we are,” she laughed. “I’m more than excited to be here. The past four days have been great. It’s been a whirlwind, but it’s been a blast and I’m ready to see what else is in store for me.”

When asked about her family (from Warrenton), Bailey said her parents “are amazing, and they’re my best friends.” She has a younger sister named Ava and a younger brother named Brady “who are also my best friends.”

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She is from northern Warren County, but will be attending MU at Columbia this fall as a junior. As the winner of the State Fair Queen contest, she will receive a $2,000 in scholarship money.

Miss Schneider has previously been involved in Fair activities as a swine exhibitor, as well as volunteering at the Beef House and being involved in Missouri FFA. She said she enjoys the way everyone comes together to celebrate Missouri, and the swine shows, especially the No Limit’s PIG Show at the Missouri State Fair each year.

“If I was home, I’d be selling sweet corn right now,” Queen Bailey noted. The family farm also raises pigs as well as row crops.

Her mom Jennifer is Bailey’s chaperone and stays with Queen Bailey throughout the 11-day run of the Fair. “We haven’t had this much time together since I moved to college,” Bailey said.

According to the Mo State Fair, Miss Jalynn Hoover was named first runner-up and will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Second runner-up went to Miss Karlie Ellis, who will receive a $750 scholarship. The third runner-up honor went to Miss Tyne Wilson who will receive a $500 scholarship, and the fourth runner-up honor went to Miss Faith Wiliams, who will receive a $350 scholarship.

At Mizzou, Bailey is majoring in agricultural education, with an emphasis in communications and leadership, and a minor in ag business. “My plan is to go the policy route, and advocate for agriculture, so whether that be working for the soybean association, or different commodity groups, that’s my goal,” Bailey told KSIS.

“I have a lot of campus involvement, too, such as College of Ag Student Council. I’m an ambassador for Sigma Alpha sorority. And I’m trying to get more involved with more volunteer service groups on campus a well, she said.

As soon as she steps foot on the MU campus, Bailey will be busy with recruitment week for her sorority, and College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Week. “I am chair for both of those events,” she noted. “So I am swamped a little bit. But I cannot be more excited to watch it all come to fruition.”

Bailey also noted that she has been shown an overwhelming amount of support and love from family and friends, and organizations like the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Electric Cooperative and the CAFNR Ambassadors.

It’s not all work for the state fair queen, however, Bailey got to see the Wynona Judd Show on opening night at the Grandstand.

“You know, despite being 19 years old, I have an old soul music taste. I’m a huge fan of the Judds. My mom raised me on them. So it was little bittersweet to see Wynona by herself without her mom Naomi. But she was phenomenal.” Bailey said. “I went to see Oliver Anthony as well. He was amazing. And I’m looking forward to the tractor pull tonight … but I’m hoping the rain holds off so we can go tonight. I think Larry from the fire department’s going to try & get me on a fire truck.”

Schneider earned the highest score in the contest and will reign over the remaining State Fair events and be an ambassador for the State Fair and Missouri agriculture throughout the coming year.