I can’t believe it. I’m not sure if I have ever been in more disbelief. Summer is over, and I have been working for almost a month now! When people say time flies, they didn’t know how fast summer would go as Miss Illinois County Fair.

My apologies once again on how long it has taken me to blog. I feel like I could just write novels about my summer experience, but I will spare you three hours of reading.

Let’s see. I believe the last time I “blogged,” it was the beginning of July, so let me give you a quick rundown of the rest of the month.

During the month of July I attended Schuyler, Fayette, Moultrie-Douglas, Jersey, Cass, Pike, Stark, Clinton, Monroe, Fulton, Adams, Madison, Lawrence, Logan, and McLean county pageants. When July hit, things really got busy. I was hardly ever home for more than two days. My longest span away from home was 2.5 weeks!! That’s a long time to live out of a suitcase and the good ole Chevy Malibu. 

I was honored to ride in a horse-drawn carriage at the Schuyler County Fair Queen Pageant. I really had royal treatment as I waved to the grandstand from the carriage. 

Jersey County’s interviews were held in a historic Underground Railroad house in Jerseyville. Diane and I enjoyed exploring the basement with the hidden rooms, but were caught off guard when the lights suddenly went out! No worries, it was just an employee of the historic home.

In Clinton County I had my first Ski soda! I remember hearing all about Ski soda in high school when I was a section president in FFA and all the southern Illinois kids would brag about this soda that you just couldn’t find anywhere else. Well Clinton County, I’ll give it to you, that Ski was good! 

A 10-year 4-H member, I was so excited to go to the McLean County Fair, an entire fair built completely around 4-H! There were thousands of 4-H projects and it was just so cool to see youth all so excited about 4-H.

And how could I forget the Corndog Kickoff in July! It’s not every day you can be Vana White for the State Fair. Okay, maybe twice. I guess I was Vana for the Sale of Champions, too. I had a great time meeting with people at this fundraiser for the State Fair Museum. There was fair food, entertainment, and lots of people excited about the state fair.

Before I knew it, it was August. Bureau, Georgetown, and Effingham counties, and then it was the Illinois State Fair! I’ve never had more fun in my life than at the State Fair. Every day was jam-packed. Dr. Susan Shea had me going from sun-up to sun-down, and later really. From the livestock barns to the culinary building to “cutest little farmer” contests, riding the sky glider, and everything in between, it was the ten most memorable days ever! 

It was so much fun cutting the ribbon to open the State Fair three times. I loved being able to give one of the opening speeches alongside the governor. And then seeing all of the county fair queens later that morning was wonderful. Almost a little sad, because it made me realize that in a few months my reign would be coming to an end. I couldn’t believe that only one year ago, I was in their shoes. I sure didn’t think I would be the state queen speaking to them that day!

My favorite part of the state fair was seeing people and visiting with them, and really just learning their stories. There are some awesome exhibitors in our state, and we should all be proud of the wonderful state fair that Amy Bliefnick (State Fair Manager) works to put together with her staff. Agriculture is what the fair is all about and Director Bob Flider did a wonderful job of making that a point. 

Giving speeches everywhere I went was also a blast. By the end of the fair, I felt so much more confident in the speeches I gave. It was another one of my favorite parts of the fair.

And how could I forget all of the amazing performers I met! Toby Keith, The Band Perry, and Ke$ha, just to name a few. Watch for me on Ke$ha’s TV show. I signed a waiver, so you just might see an episode… “Ke$ha Meets the State Fair Queen.”

I could go on and on about the State Fair…the harness racing, the horse shows, the news interviews, running Abe’s Amble 10K with my sash on the last morning of the fair, being completely exhausted from staying up late, getting up early and eating fair food all week…I can’t believe I made it out of the race alive. Susan and I had a blast every day, and got to know each other pretty well, considering all the time we spent together. I’m so thankful for all of the friendships I made this summer.

I was pretty sad after the State Fair, because that’s when it really sank in that the summer was almost over. 

After the State Fair, it was off to Cumberland County, then the DuQuoin State Fair. The DuQuoin grounds were breathtaking. Acres upon acres of rolling hills. The mansions were so cool, and I loved all the history. It was certainly warmer in Southern Illinois, but it was also the end of August. There was a wonderful hospitality day put on by Roger and Meschelle Brand. I was happy to see so many queens come down for a wonderful lunch and an afternoon of fun at the races. 

I enjoyed my time in the livestock barns again, and was even surprised by my grandparents who came without telling me. I cannot thank my family and friends enough this summer for coming to so many of my events, and supporting me every step of the way, it really meant a lot.

After the DuQuoin State Fair I was off to the Pana Tri-County Pageant and then the Farm Progress Show. The Farm Progress Show was like a “family reunion.” It was great to see so many people I know in the ag industry, and especially wonderful to be able to talk to Orion Samuelson at the U of I tent. I always love getting to talk to all of my U of I friends! On that day I met fellow Deere co-workers, too. So cool to meet them before my first day on the job!

Although summer has ended, I couldn’t have asked for a better one. The State Pageant Crew was so giving and so kind. They all treated me like their own daughter and made sure I was always well-taken care of. I enjoyed getting to know everyone and spending time with their families too. I really can’t thank them enough. And Cathy and Bill Redshaw, for making their home my “home-away-from-home” for the summer. I have so many wonderful memories from this summer that I will carry with me my whole life. 

I won’t have much to report until we have a few zone meetings. After a weekend full of Labor Day parades in the Quad Cities area, I started my full-time job with Deere as a marketing representative in construction and forestry. It has been quite an adjustment for me, moving into a full-time position, and “growing up,” but I really enjoy the group I work with, and I am learning tons! 

Thanks to all of you for reading the blog so far. Stay tuned for my last few blog posts in the next few months. Have a safe and abundant harvest!