Adams County Fair kicks off; Hesse crowned Fair Queen

by Melissa Shriver-Hackemack

MENDON – Jersey Hesse, 18, was crowned 2021 Miss Adams County during the Miss Adams County Fair Pageant.  She is the  daughter of Nicole Hesse, and Curt and Amanda Hesse. She lives in Ursa and graduated from Unity High School in May.  Jersey plans to attend University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign this fall with a major in agricultural leadership.  Her sponsors include Justin Knox at Pioneer Seed Sales and Gray and Gail Mast of Fowler.  She is the 56th Adams County Fair Queen to be crowned since the pageant began in 1965.

Hesse currently works full-time for Hesse Farms and part time for Knorr farms.  She also tends to cattle and other work on her own family farm.  When she isn’t working she enjoys many hobbies including hunting, fishing, boating, showing cattle and baking.  All four years of high school she was listed on High Honor Roll and the Society of Academic Achievement.  She also holds many awards in FFA public speaking.  

Other contestants included 18 year-old Kelsey Duke and 19 year-old Hannah Longlett.

The outgoing Miss Adams County, Cheyenne DeWeese is the 19-year-old daughter of Jan and the late Richard DeWeese of Liberty.  In 2020 Cheyenne graduated from Liberty High School and currently attends Quincy University. 

Pageant night began with the Little Miss and Mister Pageant.  More than 20 children between the ages of three and six competed for their chance to be “Little Royalty” at the 79th annual fair.  Children were judged in three categories: private interview with judges, onstage presence and onstage interview.  After a difficult decision, the judges chose the 2021 Little Miss and Mister Adams County (below):

Here are the updated Adams County Fair Queen statistics, compiled by Steve Eighinger:

Happening TODAY at the Adams County Fair

The Adams County Fair celebrates our Veterans TONIGHT -Thursday, July 29. All current and former members of the military get in FREE with a military ID. They will enjoy a wild night of Bronco riding.

THURSDAY, July 29

  (Veterans’ Night)

  10:30 AM     Mississippi Valley Holstein Club Show in Show Barn 

  6:00 PM     4-H Rabbit Judging (Rabbit Barn)

  6:00 PM – 8:00 PM      4-H  Swine Check In and Weighing

  6:30 PM      Pony Pull Show (Horse Arena)

  7:00 PM     Jr. Miss Adams County Fair and Miss Teen Adams County Fair Pageant   (Family Fun Zone – Prairieland FS Tent)

  7:30 PM   Bareback and Saddle Bronc Busting (Grandstand Arena)

UPCOMING: Saturday night’s concert features country artists Aaron Tippin, Sammy Kershaw and Collin Raye. aka the “Roots and Boots Tour.” Bronco busting and bull-riding on Thursday and Friday, plus the demolition derby on Tuesday night.