Reagan Juarez was crowned Little Miss Friendly 2026 during a caping ceremony held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, ringing in the first day of the Southwest Washington Fair.
“I want to be Little Miss Friendly so I can give all the fair-goers a positive attitude,” Reagan said when asked why she wanted to be Little Miss Friendly. “I used to come to the fair all the time when I was just a baby. Me and my family come here every summer, and the fair just means so much to me, and it would make me so happy if I got to be a part of the Southwest Washington Fair family.”
Reagan got her wish at the Saloon Stage Tuesday evening, becoming “the living logo” of the fair.
The fair began on Tuesday and runs through Sunday, Aug. 16, and attendees can expect to see Reagan beginning her reign by greeting residents and celebrating every day.
The other four finalists cheered on their friend as she received the signature Little Miss Friendly cape from 2025 Little Miss Friendly Kimber Serl.
The other finalists were:
• Blakely Becker, 10, of Napavine
• Avery Butler, 10, of Chehalis
• Aspyn Kerlee, 8, of Adna
• Lux Longabaugh, 8, of Centralia
In addition to her new title, Reagan also won a bicycle and a gift bag of goodies provided by The Silver Agency and Lewis County Coffee Co. The runner-ups also received gift bags and plaques provided by the Kiwanis Club, so no contestant left the stage empty-handed.
Reagan wasn’t the only royalty at the Saloon Stage that night, as the finalists welcomed Lewis County Dairy Ambassador Morgan Ulmer, Lewis County Rodeo Princess Addison McDougal, Lewis County Rodeo Queen Kylee Smith, Miss Lewis County Hannah Murphy, Miss Lewis County’s Teen Haiden Bartel and several previous Little Miss Friendlies to the fair.
Serl was featured among the dignitaries after a year of carrying out her duties.
“I have had such an amazing year as Little Miss Friendly,” she said. “Going to the fair, Chehalis Fest, coronations, parades, school visits and city councils. I have loved being Little Miss Friendly. Waving, smiling, meeting new people, and inviting them to the fair. And, girls, never give up. It took me three times to be Little Miss Friendly. But I loved it, and just being in the top five was my favorite part. I got to make so many friends. I will miss this, but I’m excited for the next Little Miss Friendly.”
Each summer, the Southwest Washington Fair hosts a contest to appoint the new Little Miss Friendly. The contest is open to girls 8 to 10 years old.
Little Miss Friendly is the official hostess of the Southwest Washington Fair. The Little Miss Friendly program began in 1968 to help market the fair and showcase how the community defined Southwest Washington “friendliness.” After six full days at the fairgrounds, Little Miss Friendly spends the year as a staple for festivals, parades and other events, representing the fair.
Entrance at the gate for adults costs $12. It’s $6 for children (ages 6-12) and senior citizens (ages 65 and over). Children ages 5 and under can visit the fair for free all week long.
For more information, visit https://southwestwashingtonfair.org/.
