Miss Marion County Fair Kaityln Banning came away with two special awards at the State Fair Queen Pageant held this weekend in Springfield while Miss Clinton County Audrey Moran was second runner up and Miss Clay County Elaina Kessler was third runner up. Miss Washington County Fair Cayla Krueger was a top 16 finalist.
Banning was honored with the Ruby Crum Memorial Award for congeniality and the People’s Choice Award Winner.
The new 64th annual Miss Illinois County Fair Queen is Miss Morgan County Natalie Evans of Jacksonville. Evans is currently attending Murray State University majoring in pre-veterinarian with a minor in chemistry. She hopes to complete her education at the University of Illinois and become a large animal vet. Evans will be a summer employee of the Department of Agriculture. She will travel to about 30 county fairs and will be the official hostess of the Illinois State Fair in Springfield and the DuQuoin State Fair.
Evans called herself a passionate girl who loves cows, my family, and the Lord. She hopes she can follow in retiring State Queen and Miss Clay County Fair Paige Van Dyke’s footsteps and continue to show cattle while she is queen.
The Queen and her court. Left to right: Fourth runner up, Maci Kingren of Ford County; Second runner up Audrey Moran of Clinton County; 2023 Queen Paige VanDyke, 2024 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Natalie Evans; First runner up, Tessa Sargeant of Hancock County; Third runner up, Elaina Kessler of Clay County.
The new Miss Illinois County Fair Queen, Miss Morgan County Natalie Evans of Jacksonville.
In the talent show competition, Marion County’s Senior Talent Show contestant and Salem Community High School Senior Faith Smith took fifth place.
In another activity at the 113th Annual Convention of the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs, Dave Hake of Washington County was elected as president of the statewide organization. A total of 2,500 were in attendance at this year’s convention.
Marion County Fair Queen Kaityln Banning (far right) with other special award winners. (Marion County Fair Queen Facebook Page)
Queen Kaitlyn Banning on stage to answer questions from the judges. (Miss Marion County Fair Queen Facebook page)
