In Focus: Little Miss Friendly finalists meet county commissioners

Southwest Washington Fair workers and advocates, including the 2025 Little Miss Friendly Kimber Serl and candidates to become Little Miss Friendly 2026, Miss Lewis County Hannah Murphy, Southwest Washington Rodeo Queen Kylee Smith and Southwest Washington Fair Advisory Board Chair George Dodd, pose with the Lewis County Board of Commissioners during a meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Little Miss Friendly is considered the “living logo” of the fair, which runs from Tuesday, Aug. 11, to Sunday, Aug. 16. 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. The tradition has been held each year at the fair since 1968. This year’s finalists are Blakely Becker, 10, of Napavine; Avery Butler, 10, of Chehalis; Reagan Juarez, 8, of Oakville; Aspyn Kerlee, 8, of Adna; and Lux Longabaugh, 8, of Centralia. One of these five finalists will receive the title of 2026 Little Miss Friendly at the caping ceremony, which will take place at 6 p.m. at the Saloon Stage on Tuesday, Aug. 11.