Don’t look now, but the White County Fair is nearly here. If that feels too soon to say, you’re not alone, but there’s good reason. It’s been more than 30 years since the White County Fair was held at the same time as the White County 4-H Fair, but leaders with both organizations this past winter decided it was time to come back together. While the 4-H Fair kicks off on Saturday, July 5th with clean up and the small pets show, the White County Fair gets its legs under it on Sunday with the White County Fair Queen Pageant. Former White County Fair Queen (2019) and subsequent 61st Illinois County Fair Queen Kelsi (Kessler) Hunsinger along with current White County Fair Queen Andi Garner previewed the event at Carmi Kiwanis on Thursday.
Garner says it’s been a great year as the reigning queen.
Over this past year, I’ve done many things I never pictured myself doing which includes standing up here and talking in front of you guys. I’ve expanded my social circle, made memories that I’ll cherish the rest of my life, and I’ve grown my self confidence. Some of my favorite memories over the past year have been obviously fair week; I got to read at Little Sprouts Learning Center for Read Across America Week, riding through all the parades, and helping out at the Carmi Police Department 5K. I also loved attending County Fair Day at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield and getting to meet many of the other county fair queens.
Garner is the daughter of Daniel Garner and Candace Masterson and is attending SIU-Edwardsville studying Criminal Justice and Psychology this fall. She’ll be crowning fresh royalty along with fellow retiring Junior Miss Brinkley Moore and Little Miss Baylor Bell.
More at Open Line ON DEMAND – 2024 White County Fair Queens – WRUL-FM
Contestants are competing for more than just crowns. Pageant Co-Directors Hunsinger and Hannah Sailer have worked hard to grow the experience for youngsters and incentivize participation by offering scholarships to winners. The new Miss White County Fair Queen wins a prize of $3,000 and another $500 is split between the next two places and Miss Congeniality. The Junior Miss winner gets $500 and the Little Miss gets $400. Hunsinger says the hope is to be able to extend cash prizes to first and second runners-up in the Junior Miss Division this year. In order to offer those prizes, the pageant relies on the generosity of businesses, churches, and clubs as well as individuals. Additionally, contestants are tasked with selling cash prize raffle tickets to help fund the pot. And every contestant benefits, not just those who claim crowns. Hunsinger explains.
The system we have…we’re able to give 25% back to each girl. They get to get their nails done, their hair done…just something to make them feel even better going into the competition. And then the rest of the funds come back to us to support our pageant. We’re fully funded by ourselves through help from organizations like you and the fundraiser. So we’re very appreciative. We thank you for the support you’ve given us.
You can find the full schedule of events for the Agricultural Fair and the 4-H Fair along with plenty of details online at www.whitecountyfair.com. The White County Fair also has a facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WhiteCountyFair and the pageant has a dedicated social media presence with a group available at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1619797441635866.
The Carmi Kiwanis Club made a donation to the Fair Queen Pageant as well as for the This is for You event coming up this Saturday at Bradshaw Park.
Club leadership is also exploring ways to grow membership potentially creating a path that bridges members of Key Club to Kiwanis membership.
Finally, Kiwanis President Amanda Nelson is encouraging the public to submit Corn Days theme suggestions. The deadline is June 30th and then the club will look over all those proposed and vote for a winner. You can submit your choice at Corn Day Theme 2025. Kiwanian, attorney, and regular Yoo-Hoo drinker Greg Stewart is lobbying hard for “Git R Dun”.
