News Release
January 17, 2010
Haley Freeman was Crowned 2010 Miss Illinois County Fair
Menard County Fair Queen was crowned Miss Illinois County Fair Queen.
Springfield, IL — Haley Freeman, Miss Menard County Fair, was crowned by Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Tom Jennings and retiring Queen Morgan Metz from over 66 county fair queens. She is a sophomore at Bradley University double majoring in Health Science Physical Therapy and Psychology. She plans to enter a Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program. Haley’s parents are Zach and Lori Freeman of Athens.
Miss Macoupin County Fair Queen, Courtney Ostendorf, of Gillespie was named first runner-up. Ostendorf is the daughter of Daryl Ostendorf & Sonja Levie. The judges selected Miss Morgan County Fair Queen, Alyssa Jackson from Jacksonville as second runner-up. Jackson is the daughter of Tim & Teresa DeGroot and Ron Cowman.
Non-finalist competition awards were presented to Miss Champaign County Fair Queen Alexandra Forrest from Savoy for best in interview competition; Miss Logan County Fair Queen Emily Berglin from Lincoln for Best Stage Presence competition; and for Best Beauty and Physique Award Miss Okawville Fair Holly Weathers from Nashville.
The Ruby Crum Memorial Award for charm and enthusiasm known as the “Spark Plug Award” was presented to Miss Montgomery County Fair Queen Sara Crocks. Crocks from Litchfield also received the Best Non-finalist in Communication Skills Competition Award.
The 51st Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant was held as part of the annual convention of the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield.
Over 4,000 county fair members and friends spent this past weekend selecting their entertainment and service needs for the 2010 county fair season. The 103 county fairs culminate with the Illinois State Fair, August 13-22, 2010 and the DuQuoin State Fair, August 27th through September 6th, 2010. Visit www.illinoiscountyfairs.org.
The Illinois Association of Agricultural Association of Agricultural Fairs is a non-profit corporation formed in 1910. It serves 105 Illinois County Fairs and Expositions. Its purpose is to provide guidelines, inform, and monitor and /or initiate legislation that promotes and assist Illinois County Fairs. The association is volunteer based and dedicated to the promotion of agriculture, development of youth, and as a showplace of American agriculture’s traditions and future agricultural innovations.