Miss Lawrence County Ella Benson is headed to the 2026 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant this weekend.
The pageant is part of the 115th annual meeting and convention of the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs at the Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Express Hotels in the state capital of Springfield. Benson will be among 75 county fair queens from around the state competing for the title.
The actual competition begins on Saturday, January 17th and continues through Sunday the 18th with the finals at 6:30 p.m. that evening.
Voting for the 2026 People's Choice Award winner is continuing through midnight Saturday. Local residents can support Benson by visiting this website--https://illinoiscountyfairs.org/peoples-choice/. The cost is $1 per vote, and a person can vote as many times as they like. The People's Choice winner will be announced on stage during the finals and will earn a cash scholarship. The winner will also get to donate $500 to a charity of their choice.
New online portal brings transparency to Indiana gas prices during declared energy emergency
Electric vehicle fire training held at Rockville-Adams Township Training Center
Indiana FSSA announces results of HCBS attendant care audits - $200 Million in improper payments
Applications being accepted for Governor’s 2026 Century and Half Century Business Awards
Indiana BMV extending hours for primary election
$675 million impact reported from initial Regional Economic Development funding
PHMS Amazing Shake
Parke Heritage students in competition at FFA District Contest
Indiana's February unemployment rate below national average
Indiana hiring five county executive directors in training positions
Be on the lookout for farm equipment on the road
SW Parke projected to save over a million dollars closing Montezuma Elementary
Changes coming to South Vermillion School Corporation's cell phone policy
Crawfordsville man faces list of felony child sex charges
Domestic incident results in arrest in Parke County
Clinton man nabbed in burglary case
