Crescent City, Ill. – The excitement was palpable as the Iroquois County Agricultural and 4-H Club Fair kicked off with the highly anticipated Queen & Little Miss Pageant on Tuesday night.
Contestants dazzled the crowd with their grace and charm, but in the end, Kiernan Tammen was crowned the 2023 Miss Iroquois County Fair Queen, while Paisley Vance claimed the title of 2023 Little Miss.
The fairgrounds buzzed with anticipation as attendees eagerly awaited the pageant, set to start at 7:00 pm. For those unable to make it to the event, organizers had a special treat in store. They announced plans to livestream the pageant on Facebook, provided the fair internet could handle the crowd’s online presence.
As the curtains lifted, the stage came alive with eight beautiful contestants, each showcasing their unique talents and personalities. Among the contenders was Jordan Tammen, a 21-year-old culinary arts management major at Joliet Junior College. Abbey Hanson, a licensed cosmetologist, represented her community as a graduate from Central High School. Riley Klump, an aspiring communicator, showcased her potential in organizational and leadership communications at Illinois State University.
Maddie McTaggart, a determined 17-year-old from Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, had her sights set on a future in law. Morgan Connor, a senior at Olivet Nazarene University, pursued her passion for public relations and strategic communication with a minor in music. Kiernan Tammen has set her sights on becoming a registered nurse, attending Kankakee Community College.
Completing the lineup was Madison Hamilton, a recent graduate from Bishop McNamara Catholic High School who combined her running career with her role as a paraprofessional. These impressive young women showcased their talents, dreams, and dedication, inspiring the audience and earning their applause.
In the Little Miss Iroquois County Fair Queen category, several adorable girls stole the hearts of the crowd. Zoie Brault, Brinley Gullquist, Ivana Munoz, Penelope Johnson, Addison Mullin, Paisley Vance, Adreeonna Alvarado, Daleysa Pizano, Konnar Valandingham, Isabella Gretencord, Adilynn Freehill, and Emma Nolan each charmed the audience with their innocence and charisma.
While the pageant marked a joyous occasion, it was also a time for farewell. Queen Jakki Mowrey bid adieu to her reign with grace and fond memories. From the moment of her crowning, Jakki proved to be a fun-loving queen, radiating joy and kindness. Her love for corn dogs even earned her extra admiration. Throughout her reign, she served as a role model for both young girls and aspiring contestants.
With mixed emotions, the organizers and pageant crew expressed their gratitude and bid farewell to 2022 Queen Jakki, welcoming her into the retired queen club. They also extended their appreciation to 2022 Little Miss Riley for her exceptional representation and eloquence at such a tender age, excited to witness the great things she would accomplish in the future.
The Iroquois County Agricultural and 4-H Club Fair runs through Sunday.
