Pirc Crowned New Delaware County Pork Queen

Delaware County has crowned a new pork queen.

Brianna Pirc of Farley won the honor at Thursday night’s annual Delaware County Pork Producers’ Pork Barbeque. Pirc, the daughter of Austin and Carrie, is a junior at Beckman Catholic High School in Dyersville. She says the pork industry has been a big part of her life. 

Pirc, who was chosen as the new Delaware County Pork Queen from a field of five candidates, says she’s excited to promote pork in her new role over the coming year.

Kate Ries of Hopkinton and Addison Krogmann of Dundee were crowned the two Delaware County Pork Princesses. The two other candidates running for royalty this year were Keely Recker of Hopkinton and Emma Brockhohn of Delhi. 

Trudy Loecke of Manchester wrapped up her year-long reign as Delaware County Pork Queen at Thursday’s night pork barbeque. She’s grateful for the opportunity to have represented the local pork industry. 

The Delaware County Pork Producers also presented two awards at the event. Julianne Balistreri Mullis was honored with the Bell Ringer Award, which goes to a female who has embodied excitement and commitment for the pork industry and agriculture in general. Julianne spent six years on the Delaware County Pork Board while working with Pipestone. She’s volunteered in the Iowa Pork Tent at the State Fair multiple years, baked pies for the annual pie auction, helped with pork promotions, worked with royalty and parades and assisted with the Delaware County Fair Hog Show.

And the Pork Producers presented their Associate of the Year Award to Westlinden Locker in Dyersville and the Tim Krogmann family. Westlinden processes 300 hogs a year, sells a large variety of meats and serves as a distributor to many local restaurants and bars. They’ve been supportive of the pork industry and the Pork Producers’ pie auction throughout the years, given presentations at 4-H meetings about possible apprenticeships available through the locker and offered samples of their pork products – representing the meat locker industry well. 

photos courtesy of Janelle Tucker/KMCH