SANGAMON COUNTY FAIR
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history of queen pageant


 SANGAMON COUNTY FAIR PAGEANT HISTORY

How time flies or….. should we say time changes many things. Turn back the pages of time and let’s take a look at how pageants have changed and evolved through the years.  From gowns with hoop skirts, gloves, shoulder pads, bouffant and beehive hair styles, and even card board arm bands used as the contestant number. Today marks a new era where contestants have a set of rules to comply to or in some cases a contract to sign, mock interview skills to polish, expanded dress code attire including interview suit, evening gown and physical fitness/ swimwear, and the addition of public speaking skills to help find the most well-rounded representative.  The original location of the stage was west of the present open pavilion in which a fence encompassed the arena for horse shows.  A tent was provided for the contestants to use for wardrobe changes.  A few years passed and a new open pavilion was constructed in 1964, complete with a stage, dressing rooms and even rest rooms. We are blessed by the foresight of our fair board members to have such a great facility! It has been wonderful to have various fair and non-fair activities and events scheduled over the years. The timeless pavilion continues to host the  Sangamon County Fair Queen pageant in June of each year. The newly crowned Queen represents Sangamon County and continues on to vie for the title of Miss Illinois County Fair Queen held in January.

​Viola Suits Palumbo founded the Illinois County Fair Queen pageant in 1954. The state pageant was initially held at the Armory building in Springfield, outgrew that location and moved to the Holiday Inn located off of Dirksen Parkway in Springfield. Later when the Holiday Inn was demolished, the much larger Crowne Plaza was built in 1997 to take its place. The Miss Illinois County Fair Queen pageant and Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs Convention continues to be hosted at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield where today it is said to be the largest convention held in Springfield.

PAST QUEENS
​
1959  Yvonne Smith-Beveridge
1960  Margaret Rossiter-Hoffman
1961  Carol Lott-Sullivan
1962  Sylvia Boosinger-Gary (2nd Runner-Up)
1963  Ruthann Bomke-Stevens
1964  Madeline Baskett
1965  Susan Hoppin-Berry
1966  Barbara Shoenthal-Delk (Finalist)
1967  Gay Damery-Scherer (State Queen)
1968  Sherry Chastian-Graf
1969  Jacki Roberts-Ferri (2nd Runner-Up)
1970  Isabelle Robinette-Giokaris
1971  Janet Londrigan-Krigbaum
1972  Carolyn Twyford-Ford
1973  Mary Gumble-Levy
1974  Debora Marr-Van Tuyle (Finalist)
1975  Pamela Beams-Fuller
1976  Jody Fawns-Freedlund
1977  Andrea Hankins-Ruedi
1978  Regina Hutton-Santarelli (Finalist)
1979  Sally Lane-Glenn (Finalist)
1980  Kim Hill-Brown (Finalist)
1981  Vicki Johnson-Sommer (State Queen)
1982  Cheryl Hill-Washko (State Queen)
1983  Cheryl Swann-Bradley
1984  Kathy Forgas-Elderhorst (State Queen)
1985  Leslie Cully-Seene
1986  Heather Selinger-Schaffer (Swimsuit)
1987  Debbie Twyford-Copp (Interview)
1988  Kerry Marr-Ingram
1989  Dana McNeely-Greene
1990  Debbie Tureskis
1991  Hyla Brown-Kipp (Finalist)
1992  Elissa Howard (Speech)
1993  Darre’ Williams-Porter (Finalist)
1994  Erin Duesterhaus (State Queen)
1995  Jennifer Howard (Interview)
1996  Nicole Luna
1997  Jessica Sager-Burke (Finalist)
1998  Tabitha Hinman-Stone (1st Runner-Up)
1999  Annie Finley-Weller (2nd Runner-Up)
2000  Malia Bishof (Finalist)
2001  Stephanie Custer
2002  Rachel Sunderlin-Egan (Finalist)
2003  Katie Neuman-Smith (Speech)
2004  Rachael Atchison-Buraski (Interview)
2005  Brooke Sunderlin (Finalist)
2006  Allison Hinman-Buzick (Finalist)
2007  Debbie Dobbins-Kramer
2008  Morgan Metz (State Queen)
2009  Kara Burger-Paluska
2010  Katy Duewer (Finalist)
2011  Cara Workman-Meteer (Finalist)
2012  Natalie Foss (Finalist)
2013  Anna Workman
2014  Anna Washko
2015  Megan Urbas
2016 Kerby Ingram
2017 Alyssa McGarvey
2018 Chloe Leonard
2019 Toby Giganti
2021 Sydney Geyston
​2022 Meadow Sporrer
2023 Brook Stuebs

Location

Picture
  • Home
  • Queen Pageant
    • Contestant Application
    • Little Miss Pageant
    • History of Queen Pageant
  • Grandstand
    • Full Throttle Monster Trucks
    • Tracy Byrd w/ Jake Worthington
    • Rodeo
    • Demo Derby
  • Sponsors
    • BECOME A SPONSOR
    • FRIENDS OF THE FAIR
    • 2024 SPONSORS
  • Info
    • FAQs
    • Directions and Parking
    • Admission
    • Schedule
    • Map
    • Commercial Vendors
    • Refund Policy
  • Fair Events
    • Carnival
    • Daycare Day
    • Car Show
    • Live Music | WBSB Pavilion
    • Grounds Acts
    • Talent Show
    • Exhibits
  • About
    • CONTACT US
    • BOARD OF DIRECTORS
    • Rentals >
      • Timber Lodge
      • Main Building
      • Rental Calendar
      • Rental Inquiry
      • Boat/RV Storage
    • ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY
    • ARCHIVES
    • Media
    • Newsletter