Marion County Fair Queen Delaney Kell of Salem will compete this weekend for the title of Miss Illinois County Fair Queen. She is among 72 county fair queens seeking the title.
Kell says she has been practicing for the competition that gets underway Friday at the Crown Plaza and Convention Center in Springfield.
“Been doing mock interviews and practicing on stage and my wardrobe. I’ve gotten to talk to people in the ag community just to learn more about the it and just prepare for any aspect of the competition.”
Kell runs down what makes up the pageant.
“On Friday I will interview and then Saturday we will do our 1-minute speech on stage, evening gown and swimsuit. Sunday we all get up to do our big production number and then if I’m fortunate enough to be in the Top 15 I will do the entire Saturday competition again on Sunday.”
Kell says her one-minute prepared speech is on cleaning the bathrooms at the county fair, but she promises it is a funny take on the subject. You can purchase tickets at the door for the Saturday afternoon competition at one at the Crown Plaza and Convention Center.
Kell is pleased with her reign as Marion County Fair Queen so far.
“My reign has been everything I’ve dreamed of. I’ve gotten to be in parades, go to local events and make memories along the way.”
Kell has been returning home every weekend from school at Southeast Missouri State University to take part in activities.
14-year-old Ella Drage who is the reigning State Talent Champion in the Junior Division will seek to be a back-to-back winner in the Senior Division after winning the local senior competition at the Marion County Fair in August. She sang ‘To Make You Feel the Love’ to advance. The Marion County Junior Talent winner, 11-year-old Briar Tate of Kell, will be playing his drums in search of a state title. He played the drums to the Ozzie Osborn song ‘Crazy Train’ to win the Marion County competition.
Ella Draege wins the Senior Talent Competition after winning a statewide competition last year in the Junior Division.
Briar Tate playing the drums took first place in the Junior Talent Show.
