73 / 368
2016 LOGAN COUNTY FAIR
LINCOLN DAILY NEWS July 29 - August 6, 2016 Page 73
Special guests filling the time between the various
sections of the competition included this year’s
Queens, Jr. Misses, and Little Misses from several
different Illinois counties and several former Logan
County Fair Queens. Past Logan County Queens
present ranged from years all the way back to 1941
Queen Irma (Kaesebier) Leesman, who marks her 75th
anniversary since being queen.
Many wished the contestants well and said what a
great opportunity being queen represents.
Amy Cherry and Deanne Mott, who have been
pageant directors for the past fourteen years, are
stepping down and were recognized for their years of
service.
Before the 2016 queen was crowned, outgoing Queen
Lizzie Ford gave a teary eyed farewell as she spoke
of what she learned and thanked the fair board for the
experience. Ford also thanked the pageant directors,
Little Miss Preslee, the Guzzardo’s, her family, her
teacher Mr. Allen, and many friends for all their help
and support over the past year.
Finally, the judge’s decisions were announced.
Michelle Paulus was crowned Miss Logan County
Fair 2016 and Paisley Baker was chosen as the new
Little Miss Logan County.
Other awards for the queen contest were presented
to Meg Meeker, First Runner-up; Alexis Beard,
Second Runner-up; Michelle Paulus, Crowd’s Choice;
Lexi Tibbs, Miss Congeniality; and Kaitlyn Nelson,
contestant who connected with the most businesses.
Other awards for the Little Miss contest were
presented to Charlotte LaForge, First Runner-up;
Myah Bowman, Second Runner-up; Jaelyn Anderson,
Third Runner-up; Ellie Wrage, Fourth Runner-up;
Bralan Werner, Crowd’s Choice and Most Photogenic;
and Paisley Baker, most raffle tickets sold.
Queen Michelle Paulus is the daughter of Kent
and Lynn Paulus. Paulus attends the University
of Illinois in Champaign and is working towards
a bachelor’s degree in Finance Agribusiness with
a minor in Leadership Studies. She plans to then
pursue a master’s degree in Agriculture and Applied
Economics. Travelling, volunteering, helping with
hot air balloons at the balloon festival are some
of her favorite hobbies. Paulus has taken two
separate mission trips to Africa and climbed Mount
Kilamanjaro.
Little Miss Paisley Baker is the daughter of Eric and
Teresa Baker of Lincoln.
Queen Paulus, joined by Little Miss Baker, will reign
over the Logan County Fair attending many events
and presentations and handing out ribbons during
the remainder of the fair. They will represent Logan
County at various other events during the year and
Paulus will also compete in January for the title of
Miss Illinois County Fair.
Their experiences will undoubtedly be cherished
for years to come. 2010 Logan County Fair Queen
Bethany (Rea) Rademaker, who is now pageant
director, has said being queen gave her “a new
appreciation for the fair and the county as a whole.”