White County has a new Fair Queen. Alexis Conner received the crown from retiring Kelsi Kessler to kick off the 143rd White County Fair. Conner, who just had a birthday a few days ago was elated to get a belated present in the form of a new title and crown Monday night. The Carmi White County graduate works at Joyful Start Children’s Center and based her speech on things you can learn from 2 year olds.
As part of her win, Conner receives a $3,000 scholarship thanks to the fundraising efforts of pageant coordinator Hannah Sailer and her team. To raise funds this year, they sold raffle tickets and due to the success, were able to hand out 5 – $100 prizes to locals. Christina Harper, Nick Shelton, Jeff Given, Beth Sell, and Alice Bryant (a former pageant director) all won $100. Riley Peyton was named the first runner up and Mackenzie Willis was named Miss Congeniality.
Seven young ladies were vying for the Junior Miss crown. Ashlynn Bloomfield was named the winner. Seventeen youngsters competed for the Little Miss crown giving the judges a very difficult job. Cabela Emery won the crown and will enjoy the following year as the reigning Little Miss White County Fair.
We’ll visit with Miss White County Fair Queen Alexis Conner a bit later this morning and that interview will be available on our website and in future newscasts.
An announcement was made at the Queen contest that harness racing will get an early start Tuesday night. It was due to get underway at 6pm, but fair officials announced that harness racing will actually get underway at 5pm tonight. There’s no charge for parking at the White County Fair and the grandstand is free tonight. Carnival armbands offering unlimited rides are available for $15 each night of the fair. Find more information at http://www.whitecountyfair.com.
