The 2023 Miss Marion County Fair is Kaitlyn Banning of Salem.
She was one of ten contestants for this year’s title who shared her thoughts when her name was announced as the winner.
“I was like, ‘Did I hear that right’? And then immediately I said, “Thank you God for trusting me for this opportunity to represent this county that I love so much.” It is such an honor and to be a role model for younger girls, I’m so excited for this year.”
The 19-year-old Banning is a graduate of Salem Community High School and is now a Biomedical Engineering major at the University of Missouri. Banning is looking forward to her year as queen and participating in the fair, community events, and the state pageant in Springfield in January. She has a project she’d like to complete as queen.
“I’m really passionate about foster care. I did some homeless care packages back at school. I’d love to implement that now like the power packs that the ministry is currently doing in Salem but expand it to the entire county.”
Banning thought the judges had the hardest job selecting from such a unique and amazing group of contestants. Banning also won Miss Congeniality, Best in Interview, and Best in Speech and Communications.
1st runner-up was Maya Susmena of Salem. 2nd runner up was Jillian Green of Salem who also won Best in Stage Presence and Best in Beauty and Physique. Kailey Brubaker of Salem was named Most Photogenic. Marissa Wooters won the Rustler Award.
Banning was crowned by outgoing Queen Delaney Kell.
“I grew up with Kaitlyn so I’ve known her a long time. We played sports together so I’m happy to have her experience the amazing year she has ahead. Soak in every moment, it goes faster than you think.”
Kell in her farewell speech thanked all of those who made her year as queen special.
2023 Marion County Fair Queen Kaitlyn Banning is crowned by 2022 County Queen Delaney Kell as Junior Miss Paisley Stanford (left) and Miss Illinois County Fair Paige Van Dyke look on. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Royalty. Left to right: First runner up Maya Susmena of Salem, Illinois County Fair Queen Paige Van Dyke of Clay County, 2023 Marion County Fair Queen Kaitlyn Banning, 2022 Queen Delaney Kell, and 2nd runner up Jillian Green. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
