08/12/2026
Congratulations Russell 👑 🏈
Schwab, Fox Crowned 2026 Attica Independent Fair Queen and King
ATTICA, Ohio — For Cadi Schwab and Russell Fox, being crowned queen and king of the 2026 Attica Fair Independent Fair means more than wearing a crown and representing the fair for a year. It is an opportunity to represent a place that has already played a major role in both of their lives.
Schwab, the 17-year-old daughter of Jodi and Matt Schwab, was crowned Attica Fair Queen during the fair's royalty competition.
A senior at Seneca East High School, Schwab is a member of the Seneca East FFA and Republic Rowdy Rednecks 4-H Club. She shows lambs at the fair.
Her journey toward becoming queen, however, started long before Tuesday's crowning.
Schwab has participated in the fair's royalty program since she was young, previously serving as Little Miss, Junior Miss and Princess. When her name was announced as queen, Schwab said it felt like the culmination of years spent growing up around the fair.
"It was my time," Schwab said. "I've been doing this since as young as I could."
Now, she wants to take that experience beyond the Attica fairgrounds.
Schwab said she and the queen runner-up have set a goal of traveling to fairs across Ohio. She also hopes to compete in the Ohio Fair Managers Association Queen's Contest.
For Schwab, running for queen was another way to become more involved in a fair that has meant so much to her.
"This fair means a lot to me, and I feel like I can have a bigger role than just being on Junior Fair Board," Schwab said.
She encouraged younger exhibitors considering a future run for fair royalty to believe in themselves.
"Be confident in what you do, and if you're determined to do it, then just stick to it," Schwab said.
Schwab also thanked Erin Schwartzmiller, whom she described as her "fair mom" and second mom, for helping her prepare for the fair.
Fox brings king back to Attica Fair
Standing alongside Schwab as the 2026 Attica Fair King is Russell Fox, the 17-year-old son of Mindy and Jason Fox.
Fox is a junior at Calvert Catholic High School and a member of Seneca CPAs 4-H. His involvement at the fair includes showing beef cattle, dairy cattle and dairy beef.
For Fox, the crowning carried some extra significance.
The Attica Independent Fair had gone three years without a king, and Fox said he was proud to be the person who stepped forward to bring the position back.
"I'm glad that I get to be the first one to step back into this role and get to represent this place," Fox said.
Moments after being crowned, Fox described himself as overjoyed and excited about what the coming year could bring.
"It's a great fair, a great place for people to come and visit," Fox said. "I'm really excited to get to represent this fair."
He is already thinking about keeping the king tradition going.
Fox said his brother is serving as prince this year, and one of his goals is to encourage him — along with other young men involved with the fair — to consider running for king in the future.
"With getting a king comes responsibility," Fox said. "There's a lot of great exhibitors and people who are perfect to step into this role."
Fox also credited Schwab with encouraging him to pursue the position, saying she helped drive him toward taking on the role.
As Schwab and Fox begin their reign, both will spend the next year carrying the Attica Independent Fair name beyond the fairgrounds.
For Schwab, it is the next chapter in a royalty journey that began when she was a child.
For Fox, it is an opportunity to revive a position that had been vacant for three years.
For both, it is a chance to represent the fair and community they have grown up being a part of.
