The new Miss Marion County Fair Queen is Ella Douglas of Salem.
Douglas was crowned by Outgoing Queen Preslee Harris at the conclusion of the Monday night pageant at the fairgrounds.
“Oh my goodness! I heard number one and I forgot my number, I didn’t even know what to think. I’m so thankful, so blessed, and each and every one of the girls were there for me tonight. I just love them so much and am so proud of them.”
Douglas is excited about the rest of fair week, especially the 4H Auction.
“Well you can find me at the auction, and I will be holding my 1460 lbs steer Apollo. I couldn’t be more thankful to wear this crown on my head and represent those 4-H kids.”
Douglas says fighting hunger will be her platform as queen.
“Definitely appreciated volunteering for hungry hearts and fighting hunger in Marion County. Everyday there are 100+ kids in Salem, and every summer who need a sack lunch. That could be their only meal for the day and so I believe it is important to have a sustainable life. That starts with getting a god meal in.”
Douglas served as Salem FFA and Salem National Honor Society President during her senior in high school. She will be attending University of Illinois in the fall as an agriculture pre-law student.
Madelyn Dailey of Centralia was first runner up and Amanda Taylor of Centralia was 2nd runner up. Douglas was also named best in Interview. Kenzi Coffee of Salem was named best in Beauty and Physic and also won Miss Congeniality as voted upon by the other contestants. Madelyn Dailey also won Most Photogenic and the Russler Award. Best in Speech and Communications was won by Gabriella Curtner of Sandoval. Hannah Duncan of Salem won for Best in Stage Presence. The People’s Choice Award was presented to Abigail Perry of Iuka.
Harris made her farewell remarks as outgoing queen.
“My favorite part of being queen has truly been connecting with people all over Marion County. I really strove to get Centralia involved in the fair more because that is struggle every year. I’d say I really accomplished that, we had three contestant from Centralia.”
Harris adds she’s not leaving yet.
“My advice for her is she’s not going to get rid of me. She is not going to get rid of me. Whether she needs hair, makeup, whatever.”
Douglas and Harris know each other well as both graduated from Salem Community High School.
All nine contestants, along with outgoing Queen Preslee Harris, line up on stage shortly before the winners were announced. Left to right: Pageant announcers Josh Tate and Mallory Crouse, contestants Ella Douglas, Kenzi Coffey, Amanda Taylor, Mariah Abdullah, Abigail Perry, 2025 Miss Marion County Preslee Harris, and contestants Madelyn Dailey, Gabriella Curtner, Kairyn Dunahee, and Hannah Duncan. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Queen Ella Douglas takes her first walk down the stage. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Fireworks fire off over the fairgrounds to celebrate the naming of the new queen. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
