Eight to compete in Miss Adams County Fair Queen Pageant on July 26

MENDON, Ill. — Eight contestants will compete for the title of 2023 Miss Adams County Fair Queen on Wednesday, July 26. The Little Miss and Mr. Adams County Pageant starts at 6 p.m., followed by the Miss Adams County Fair Queen Pageant at 7 p.m.

The Adams County Fair runs from July 26 to Aug. 1 at the Adams County Fairgrounds off Highway 336 in Mendon. For more information, visit www.adamsfair.org.

The reigning Miss Adams County, CayLee Hughes, is the 19-year-old daughter of Jeff and Diane Hughes of Camp Point. She will be a sophomore this fall at Quincy University and Blessing-Reiman College of Nursing. She is majoring in nursing. She is a certified nursing assistant at Blessing Hospital.

The contestants vying for the title of Miss Adams County Fair Queen are:

• Sophia Ludwig, 18, is a daughter of Dan and Tracy Ludwig. She is a graduate of Quincy High School, and in the fall, she will attend the John Wood Ag Center to study ag business. Her sponsors are Bockenfeld Construction, J&J Construction, Fierge Auto Parts, RD Shaffer Trucking and The Daily Grind.
• Maddi Cramsey, 16, is a daughter of Rachel Cramsey. She attends Quincy High School and will be a junior in the fall. Her sponsor is Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
• Annabelle Schaffnit, 19, is a daughter of Kevin and Nicole Schaffnit. She is a graduate of Unity High School and will be a junior this fall at Western Illinois University, where she is studying ag business with a minor in marketing. Her sponsors are Connoyer Dental and Shaffer Enterprises.
• Katelyn Hummel, 21, is a daughter of Mike and Susan Hummel. She is a graduate of Liberty High School, and in the fall, she will be a senior at the University of Illinois-Springfield studying exercise science with a minor in psychology. Her sponsor is Concord Cabinets.
• Grace Peter, 17, is a daughter of Jay and Julie Peter. In the fall, she will be a senior at Quincy High School and also attending John Wood Community College with the dual enrollment program. She will be studying applied science in ag. Her sponsors are Adams County Glass, Farmer’s Livestock Sales, Inc., and Bingaman Automotive.
• Ashley Walbring, 16, is a daughter of Matt and Lori Walbring. She will be a junior this fall at Quincy High School while also taking classes at John Wood Community College. Her sponsors are Titan Wheel and Custom Turf.
• Ellie Lewis, 18, is a daughter of Shawn and Shaila Lewis. She is a graduate of Unity High School and is attending Gem City College for Cosmetology. Her sponsors are Lewis Seed Farm and Hughes General Contractor.
• Morgan Widmer, 19, is a daughter of Mike and Trudy Willis. She is a graduate of Quincy High School. This fall she will be going into her sophomore year at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and is studying elementary education. Her sponsor is Wink’s Drinks.

Also to be recognized are last year’s winners:

• Miss Teen Adams County, Hailey McKinney, daughter of Adam and Erika McKinney of Liberty.
• Junior Miss Adams County, Madelyn Ohnemus, daughter of Mike and Laura Ohnemus of Liberty.
• Little Miss Adams County, Georgia Zanger, daughter of Nick and Brandy Zanger of Loraine. 
• Little Mr. Adams County, Braxley Ferguson, son of Ashley Lowe and Michael Ferguson of Quincy.

This year’s pageant sponsors are Expressions by Christine, Kaylyn Orpet Bartz, Angie at Suite 6, Amy at Suite 6, Tanning Unlimited, Hy-Vee, Sew in Style Boutique, Eighth Avenue Villager, TCBY, Speckhart Shrimp Farms, Sturhahn Jewelers, A + Clay, Knockout Beauty, Ruthi B’s, Tannie Kakes, House of Color, Farmhaus Coffee, Sassy Jo’s Boutique, Jen Tyler Independent Executive Director for Thirty-One, Neora Skincare by Nici Woodyard, Quincy University Fitness Center, Emerald City Jewelers, Rachel B Photography, Nutrition HQ, Buff City Soap, Duncan & Co., Autumn Harvest Farms, Barns N Bling and Little Jess Jeep. Beth Heinze is choreographing the production number.

The seventh annual Sweetheart of Adams County Pageant also will be held. The pageant allows people of any age with intellectual or physical disabilities to experience being a queen or king for a day. Contestants focus on their abilities and gain life skills, self-confidence and happiness.

The pageant is meant to be a fun experience, so a pageant wardrobe is not necessary. Participating should wear what makes them feel special. Sponsors are Eighth Avenue Villager and Overhead Door.