Page 2 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
Page 3 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Monday July 28, 2025
Page 4 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 4-H Floriculture Brings Colorful Displays to the Logan County Fair A balmy morning after extended rain greeted 4-H fl oriculturists on Monday at Logan County Fairgrounds. Members of local 4-H clubs brought cut fl owers, arrangements, and herbs for judging at the 2025 Logan County Fair. Judge Amy Hyde engaged 4-H participants in conversation about their fl ower arrangement and plants asking how they grew them and what they had learned. Hyde inquired “What did you learn by growing this? Do you think you will do fl oriculture again? Are you happy with how your arrangement turned out?” Other 4-H participants fi elded questions such as, “Did you have any problem growing this? Do you see a lot of pollinators around these? Do you know what an annual and what a perennial is?” After discussing their exhibits with the judge, the judge fi lled out forms to help entrants assess and improve their entries and assigned a grade. The judge awarded plaques for Best of Show in the various categories and chose 4-H delegates for the Illinois State Fair. Best of Show for Fresh Cut Flowers and State Fair Delegate went to Carly Zelhart for her arrangement of white hydrangeas mixed with colorful pollinators. Best Floriculture Display and State Fair Delegate went to Olivia Wrage for her display of photographs and herbs from her herb garden. Best House Plant or Fairy Display and State Fair Delegate went to Ellie Wrage for her fairy garden featuring an array of shade and trailing plants. [Stephanie Hall]
Page 5 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
Page 6 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
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Page 8 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 4-H Field and Vegetable Crops down in numbers for 2025 Though the offi cial start date of the 89th Annual Logan County Fair would not be until Tuesday, July 29th, 2025, 4-H youth had a very busy morning on Monday with the General Projects judging. This year, the youth saw the return of everyone gathering at the same time starting at 9 a.m. In the years since Covid-19 the kids had been scheduled to come in at specifi c time slots according to the club with which they belonged. That made somewhat for organized chaos in the general projects barn, but it was a happy chaos as youth and adults had the opportunity to see one another, compare notes on what they had brought, and watch as others were facing the judges. In the fi eld crop and vegetable crop categories, numbers were defi nitely down this year, but the quality of the product might have been at an all-time high. In the fi eld corn judging the tall stalk entries were dominated by the Hassebrock kids. Makia, Kianna, and Kenley, all representing Middletown 4-Hers, had entries to be judged. With the numbers being smaller, the judges had plenty of time to judge each entry and speak with the youth, asking questions, and off ering helpful tips for the projects they might enter next year. In the vegetable crops there were only a few entries, but Logan County Extension educator Jennifer Fishburn scrutinized each carefully. She also spent a good deal of time with each of the entrants, discussing their growing methods along with their harvesting and storage techniques. In the end. All the kids walked away happy with a fi stful of blue ribbons to add to their collection. [Nila Smith]
Page 9 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
Page 10 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
Page 11 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
Page 12 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Continued -- 4-H Visual Arts highlight talented youth in Logan County Monday, July 28 was the judging of 4-H Non original Visual Arts, Visual Arts and general projects with hundreds of outstanding entries. For visual arts, participants may use media like paper, clay, leather, fi ber, wood, chalk, carbon/pigment, glass/plastic, metal, and nature to produce their art. Art can even be 3D or computer generated. Non-original arts are created from kits, preprinted designs, or pre-molded pieces, while original arts are designs created completely by the exhibitor. General projects included animal science, career/leadership, general entomology, fl oriculture, horticulture and photography. Some 4-H members did multiple projects using various media and entered both visual and non-visual projects, while others focused on one or two projects. Though many have been working on their projects for a few months, others have started within the last few weeks. Participants included those just starting out in 4-H and those who have been in 4-H for several years. This year’s group had several who were in their fi rst or second year of 4-H. Some had previously been Cloverbuds. Two youngsters who were in their fi rst year of 4-H projects were twin brothers Cooper and Bennett Johnson of Middletown. Cooper did three projects. For the visual arts, he entered a photo taken on a recent trip to Florida. He also did a Lego project that took several months in addition to one on electricity. Bennett did two visual arts projects. One was a painting of a barn, and the other was a photograph of a lilac.
Page 13 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Ten-year-old Scout Coers is a fi rst year 4-H member who did two visual arts projects. One was a wildlife poster with photos of birds. The other was a pillowcase done in the three pigs in a blanket style. Eleven-year-old Jonathan Bregar made a wood combine built from a kit using toothpicks. Another fi rst year 4-H member was ten-yearold Jeb Turner, who sewed a pillow and did a Lego creation. Continued --
Page 14 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Eleven-year-old Bella Allison did two fi rst year projects. One was a Paper Mache of a hot air balloon. The other was a chalk and pigment drawing of a cow being abducted by an alien ship. She added the cow to the picture after the paper accidentally got smudged. In the words of Bob Ross, it was a happy little accident. Judges score visual arts entries on correct use of design elements, principles, expressive elements and technique in addition to craftsmanship, creativity and inventiveness. Both during and after judging, judges make comments telling participants where they did well while also discussing how and where they could improve. Little details can be signifi cant. One unique photo was an abstract close up of an everyday object giving viewers a unique perspective. As usual, there are many talented youths from around Logan County. [Angela Reiners]
Page 15 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
Page 16 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
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Page 18 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 4-H Home and Family Show displays woodworking, photography and more On Monday, July 28th, a 4-H Home and Family show was held in the brown door barn at the Logan County Fairgrounds. This show was a part of a larger general projects show being hosted by the University of Illinois Extension Offi ce at the Logan County Fair. The 4-H projects were submitted by kids between the ages of eight and eighteen in several diff erent categories. The brown door barn was fi lled to capacity with kids and parents. Some were checking in their projects to be judged by one of several judges, while others were presenting their projects to the judges. Proud parents were standing nearby their children, watching closely as they presented. Many parents had phones out and were snapping their own pictures and video. The categories for the Home and Family show were interior design and babysitting, woodworking, creative writing, photography, and clothing. Unfortunately, there were no submissions for interior design and babysitting this year. Roni Shelton was the judge for the photography submissions. She called kids who submitted photos over to her table one at a time to talk to them about their photographs. She would ask the kids questions about their photos and have conversations with them. This gave the kids the chance to present the photo they had taken. Shelton then judged the photos based on criteria she was given. Shelton has a lot of experience with photography, as she has been a photographer for thirteen years. Shelton stated that she Continued --
Page 19 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 was “really impressed” with the photographs that were submitted, sharing that every child received a blue ribbon. Over on the other side of the barn was Rick Kidd, who was judging the Woodworking submissions. Where Shelton would sit across from the kids whose photos she was judging, Kidd had the kids sit on the same side of the table as him while they looked at their woodworking creations together. Kidd also asked questions about the projects, having conversations with those who submitted the work. Kidd stated that he has been interested in and participating in woodworking for most of his life, since he was the age of many of the kids who submitted projects. In addition to the Logan County Fair, Kidd shared that he also judges woodworking projects in both Sangamon and Menard counties 4-H shows. Kidd shared that he was impressed with many of the projects that were submitted, stating that “the kids have got a lot of talent.”. Kidd did say, however, that many of the kids’ work could use some improvement. “Some of them could use a little bit of improvement,” Kidd said, “but they recognize that.” Kidd went on to say that the kids usually point out things that they would do diff erently in the future when presenting their projects. “The ability to self-criticize is important.” As the morning moved along, many of the kids and their parents began to leave once their projects were judged. Their projects, however, stayed behind and can be viewed in the brown door barn for the rest of the fair. [Matt Boutcher]
Page 20 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
Page 21 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
Page 22 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 4-H Food, Nutrition and Health Show “rolls” through 2025 On Monday, July 28th, the 4-H Food, Nutrition, and Health show was held in the yellow door barn of the Logan County Fairgrounds. This 4-H show was hosted by the University of Illinois Extension Offi ce. Kids between the ages of eight and eighteen could submit projects in one of several categories. These categories were Cooking 101, 201, 301, 401, Food Science, Sport Nutrition, Food Preservation, Visual Arts - Food/Cake Decorating, and Health. When kids and their parents arrived, they took their projects over to the check-in table. Here, either Deana Brooks or Amanda Gray would check them in and give them everything they needed to take to the judges. The children and their parents then would wait until it was their turn. There were two judges, Heather Cosby and Stacie Skelton, who were each at their own table. One at a time, the kids would bring their projects up and present them to either Cosby or Skelton. The projects the kids brought up ranged from informative projects on healthrelated topics to baked goods. Cosby and Skelton each spent several minutes talking to each kid, asking them questions about their submissions and having a conversation. Both would occasionally provide constructive criticism so that the kids can learn and grow, but both seemed impressed overall with the quality of the submissions. Cosby, owner of Flossie and Delzena’s in Lincoln, even made a joke about wanting many of the kids to come work in her restaurant. Kade Furman submitted and presented a project on sports nutrition. Furman stated, “sports nutrition is important for players because if you don’t have sports nutrition, you can get dehydrated then you can get really hurt.” Furman stated that he plays baseball, football, and basketball. He will be taking what he learned while making this project to make some changes going forward. “I am going to eat better and not eat junk food as much.” Continued --
Page 23 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Siblings Evalyn and Boston Tomlinson each made submissions, one that could be looked at, and one that could be eaten. Evalyn decorated a cake that she made from Styrofoam. She shared that she saw a fl ower design that inspired her to decorate her cake the way she did. She said that, while she really enjoys baking and cake decorating, she is not sure yet if that is something she wants to do for a living. It is more of a hobby at the moment. Boston, on the other hand, submitted homemade rolls. He shared that baking is something that he enjoys, and the more he does it, the more he comes to love it. Boston stated that he loves rolls from Texas Roadhouse, and that is what inspired him to bake and submit his own rolls. Boston had a very highly level of confi dence in his rolls, however, stating” this recipe might be better than Texas Roadhouse.” Continued --
Page 24 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Tyler Conklen entered food items in the category of Food Preservation. Conklen’s two submissions were a tomatillo salsa and cucumber relish. He stated that, with the exception of the onions, everything in both jars was home grown. Conklen also shared that he and his dad love to put the salsa on tacos. “It is a long process,” he said, “but it’s worth it in the end.” As each child fi nished presenting their food projects, the items were taken to be placed on display in the yellow door barn, where they will be on display for the duration of the fair. [Matt Boutcher]
Page 25 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
Page 26 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
Page 27 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
Page 28 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Cloverbuds present a bright future for Logan County 4-H On Monday, July 28th, the University of Illinois Extension Offi ce held the annual 4-H Cloverbuds projects. This event took place in the brown door barn of the Logan County Fairgrounds. The Cloverbuds started a little before 4:00 p.m., which followed a full day of 4-H projects being presented and displayed by many 4-H kids. For those not in the know, Cloverbuds is a pre4-H program that kids between the ages of fi ve and eight can participate in. This particular Cloverbuds event was hosted to allow the kids in Cloverbuds to present projects that they have been working on. These projects ranged from things built from Lego and handmade items to art and animals. There were a very wide range of projects that were being presented. One girl raised chicks and made a tri-fold poster board about it. Another girl showed off her 50 State Continued --
Page 29 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Commemorative Quarter Collection. One boy brought in an art piece made of several tree branches and beads hanging from it. As the kids and their parents arrived, they would go to the check-in table at the front. There they would check in with Rachel Skelton and have a seat to wait to be called. When a judge was ready, Reagan Tibbs would call out the child’s name and direct them to the judge they would be presenting to. They did not have to wait long this year, however, as there were a signifi cantly larger number of judges. In previous years there were usually about four or fi ve judges. This year there were eight judges total. The judges were Ellie Wrage, Charlotte Judd, Grace Nutter, Kristina Morrow, Arianna Morris, Alex Steff ens, Kindell Helton, and Myah Bowman. Each of the judges talked to the kids about their projects, asking questions and allowing the child to teach them about what they made. After each child fi nished presenting their creation, they would go and put it on display with the other Cloverbud projects. Tibbs shared that there were about forty entrants this year. Tibbs also talked about Cloverbuds and the role it plays in helping kids collaborate and learn new skills. “Cloverbuds are for kids who are just a little bit too young to join 4-H… It’s just a group, it’s a class for kids to learn diff erent things.” Tibbs went on to say “there’s a whole bunch of diff erent things kids can do. They can do Lego projects, they can do woodworking, metalworking. A whole bunch of diff erent ways to learn those skills, interact with kids their age, and learn those important life skills.” The 4-H Cloverbuds projects will be on display in the brown door barn at the Logan County Fairgrounds for the duration of the Fair. [Matt Boutcher]
Page 30 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
Page 31 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
Page 32 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
Page 33 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
Page 34 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Tuesday July 29, 2025
Page 35 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 On Tuesday morning the sun was shining, there was a brisk breeze, and at 9 a.m. when the annual ribbon cutting for the Logan County Fair took place, it was just pleasantly warm. Because conditions were so perfect, the cut for the 89th Annual Logan County Fair took place inside the west gate to the fairgrounds with a large number of people in attendance. Joining Logan County Board President Rod Conklin behind the ribbon were board members Herman Schwantz, Nathaniel Gieske, Kevin Kurtz, and Clay Irwin. The 2025-26 Logan County Queen contestants were on hand, fl anking the current royalty. On the left-hand side was Arrianna Morris, Emma Menzel and Julia Collings. On the right-hand side of the queen was Bianca Adubato, Ivy Sandel and Grace Tolliver. Gracing the center of the crowd was the current, but soon to be exiting royalty, Junior Miss Logan County Sophia Goodman, Little Miss Logan County Olivia Harmsen, and the 2024 Miss Logan County Fair Queen Abbie Arnold. Others behind the ribbon included Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch, Lincoln City Clerk Peggy Bateman, Logan County Extension Advisor Terry Casey, Lincoln Rural Fire Protection District Fire Chief Chris Buse, Logan County Paramedics Association Director Crystal Bale, Lesleigh Bennett who helps provided the Continued --
Page 36 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Saturday night concert, past board member Dave Irwin, and newly appointed Logan County Tourism Director Wanda Lee Rohlfs. The event began with Conklin off ering an introduction of the fair board members on hand. Then Mayor Welch spoke on behalf of the city of Lincoln saying that Lincoln does look forward to the fair every year. He remembered that some years the weather had been pretty nasty, but today it was a good day, but with promise of getting hot. He encouraged everyone to stay safe at enjoy the fair, then closed by saying “congratulations to the fair board for another successful year.” Terry Casey was asked to say a few words on behalf of the Logan County 4-H programs. She said she was grateful for the 4-H Fair and that it means a lot to the youth who participate. She concluded with a thank you to the fair board for all their hard work. Wanda Lee Rohlfs was recently appointed as the new Logan County Tourism Bureau Director, replacing Alice Roate McCray. She was invited to say a few words, and instantly recalled that as a life long resident of Logan County she is very familiar with the Logan County Fair. She noted that over the years many people have had wonderful things to say about the fair and she could echo those. She remembered as a child loving to come and enjoy the rides but noted the worst part of it was knowing that soon after the fair school would start. Miss Logan County Fair Abbie Arnold spoke on behalf of all three members of royalty saying that she fully understood how much work and dedication is involved in putting together a successful fair. She thanked the board for their dedication to the task. The last person to speak before the snipping of the ribbon was Board President Rod Concklin who noted that this is the 89th annual fair. “This is the 89th fair and we appreciate all the support from all the people in the community and in the neighborhood. We hope to have a great fair.” Continued --
Page 37 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 With speeches concluded it was time for the posed photo then the snipping of the ribbon which was done by the 2024 fair royalty as one of their last offi cial acts of their term. [Nila Smith]
Page 38 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Immediately following the ribbon cutting for the 89th Annual Logan County Fair on Tuesday morning, another very special event took place. Fair board members Rod Conklin, Herman Schwantz, Nathaniel Gieske Kevin Kurtz and Clay Irwin were joined by Fair Foundation Board Member Tom Martin, Logan County royalty Miss Logan County Fair Abbie Arnold, Junior Miss Sophia Goodman and Little Miss Olivia Harmsen and John Stremsterfer of the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln. Stremsterfer was on hand to deliver a check from the foundation to the Logan County Fair Foundation. On behalf of fair representatives, the check was accepted by the queen and her cohorts. Stremsterfer said that this is the 100th year of the foundation and in celebration they chose to award grants to several communities and organizations with the Logan County Fair Foundation being one such grant recipient. Fair Board member Clay Irwin explained that the money was being given to the fair foundation which provides the money for improvements to the physical fairgrounds. He said the money given by the Community Foundation would go toward planned work on the grandstand. He noted that there was going to be improvements to the ramps for Americans with Disabilities Act compliant access and there are also plans for new metal bleachers. The fair board and foundation board wish to express their appreciate to the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln for its generous support of the Logan County Fair. [Nila Smith] Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln presents the fair with a $10,000 donation
Page 39 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
Page 40 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Millie Mason - Lincoln Daughter of Brent & Megan Mason Luella Leevey - Lincoln Daughter of Joshua Leevey & Taylor Manus Emmylou McCree - Atlanta Daughter of Patrick & Brande McCree Finley Farmer - Lincoln Daughter of Cory & Chynna Farmer Brynlee Bossingham - Lincoln Daughter of Joshua & Megan Bossingham Elizabeth Gail Fitzpatrick - Lincoln Daughter of Andy & Hannah Fitzpatrick Little Miss Logan County Contestants 2025
Page 41 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Leighton Neitzel - Lincoln Daughter of Ethan & Ashleigh Neitzel Isabella Rifner - Emden Daughter of James & Jessica Rifner Charlee Gleason -Lincoln Daughter of Kyle & Kelly Gleason Deryn Bainter - Lincoln Daughter of Brent & Heidi Bainter Stella Anderson -Lincoln Daughter of Ryan & Lindsey Anderson Vayda Farmer - Lincoln Daughter of Brandon & Courtnee Farmer Little Miss Logan County Contestants 2025
Page 42 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Amelia Clemens - Chestnut Daughter of Levi & Samantha Clemens Eislee Bolen - Emden Daughter of Dakin & Nicole Bolen Ava Bunn - Lincoln Daughter of Tom & Kristi Bunn Carleigh Bregar - Lincoln Daughter of Bob & Monica Bregar Kynlee Adams - Lincoln Daughter of Jade Adams Piper Haff ner - Mt. Pulaski Daughter of Alexandria Haff ner Little Miss Logan County Contestants 2025
Page 43 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
Page 44 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Brinley Ballance - Emden Daughter of Matthew & Brooke Ballance Emily Lawrence - Middletown Daughter of Chad & Amanda Lawrence Courtney Cecil - Atlanta Daughter of Tommy and Melissa Cecil Olivia Wrage - Lincoln Daughter of Jason & Elizabeth Wrage Brooklyn Clark - Lincoln Daughter of Bryan and Whitney Clark Junior Miss Logan County Contestants 2025
Page 45 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
Page 46 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Miss Logan County Fair Queen Contestants 2025 Julia Collins - Atlanta Daughter of Ashley & Josh Collins Myah Bowman - Lincoln Daughter of Donnie & Amanda Bowman Emma Menzel - Lincoln Daughter of Elaine & Darrin Worth Kristy Morrow - Lincoln Daughter of Kristen Green, David Morrow and Terrence Puff er Arianna Morris - Lincoln Daughter of Tara & Dwane Morris Bianca Adubato - Lincoln Daughter of Frank & Michelle Adubato
Page 47 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Miss Logan County Fair Queen Contestants 2025 Ivy Sandel - Lincoln Daughter of Sarah and Ryan Guyetts Grace Tolliver - Lincoln Daughter of Sara Fleshman and Nicholas Fleshman
Page 48 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 2025 Logan County Fair Queen Pageant On a toasty Tuesday evening, eight graceful and talented queen contestants, fi ve charming junior misses and eighteen adorable little misses from around Logan County competed for the chance to represent Logan County at the fair and other events throughout the year. Master of Ceremonies Cameron Kurtz welcomed everyone to the 86th anniversary of the queen pageant, 17th anniversary of the little miss pageant and 9th anniversary of the junior miss pageant. Throughout the evening, Kurtz expressed thanks to numerous businesses, sponsors, pageant crew, fair board, directors of the Logan County Fair Association and other volunteers who helped make the event possible. He said there is a lot of work behind the scenes throughout the year that goes into the pageant and fair itself as many work tirelessly. LDN’s own Lesleigh Bennett sang the National Anthem to help kick off the evening’s events. Even with sound issues, she sang beautifully. 2024 Logan County Fair Queen Abbie Arnold Continued --
Page 49 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 was escorted to the stage in a convertible by her father Matthew. After welcoming everyone, Queen Abbie told the crowd to cheer loudly and stay cool as you watch a show you do not want to miss. Queen contestants danced in synchronicity to the Foundation’s song “Build Me Up Buttercup.” The candidates competing for the title of Logan County Fair Queen included: Julia Collins of Atlanta is the daughter of Ashley and Josh Collins. Collins will be a sophomore at the University of Iowa. Myah Bowman of Lincoln of Donnie and Amanda Bowman. Myah will be a senior at is the daughter LCHS this year. Emma Menzel of Lincoln is the daughter of Elaine and Darrin Worth. Menzel will attend the University of Illinois at Springfi eld this fall. Kristy Morrow of Lincoln is the daughter of Kristen Green, David Morrow and Terence Puff er. Kristy will be a Freshman at the University of Illinois this fall. Ariana Morris, Lincoln is the daughter of Dwayne and Tara Morris. Ariana will be a sophomore at Illinois College. Bianca Adubato of Lincoln is the daughter of Frank and Michelle Adubato. Bianca will be a junior at Illinois College. Ivy Sandel of Lincoln is the daughter of Sarah and Ryan Guyett. Ivy will be a freshman at Illinois State University this fall Grace Tolliver of Lincoln is the daughter of Sarah Fleshman and Nicholas Fleshman. Grace will be a freshman at Illinois Wesleyan University this fall. To display communication skills, which is 40 percent of the score, queen contestants spoke on a topic of their choice. Topics included discovering the need to grow your community, making strangers into a community through simple actions, learning time management and other lessons from a job as a kennel attendant and turning challenges into comebacks. Others talked about overcoming fears, never letting fear stop you, being the pilot of your own future, spreading joy no matter what and learning to smile and be confi dent. Continued --
Page 50 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 For the pop question, contestants were asked if you could start a new trend among young women in your community, what would it be and why. Contestants talked about supporting one another, uplifting each other, promoting self-worth to everyone around you and showing kindness to everyone no matter how diff erent we are. Other answers include sharing fun secrets like how to fi nd the perfect dress, doing whatever you want whether it be painting, doing Papier Mache or even playing in the mud and showing people that agriculture is much more than just farming. The rest of the scoring was based on an interview earlier in the day plus an evening gown competition to display their stage presence. The local Junior Miss competition began in 2017 for girls between the ages of nine and 12. In 2018, the age range was changed to girls between 11 and 13. One reason this category was added was so there were not so many years between being a little miss and running for queen. 2024 Logan County Junior Miss Sophia Goodman was escorted to the stage by her father Steven. She welcomed everyone then told them to have fun and enjoy the evening. Junior Miss contestants sashayed across the stage to Lainey Wilson’s “Wildfl owers and Wild Horses.” This year’s Junior Miss contestants included: Brinley Ballance of Emden, Emily Lawrence of Middletown, Courtney Cecil of Atlanta, Olivia Wrage of Lincoln and Brooklyn Clark of Lincoln. Their scores came from an earlier interview and their appearance on stage. Each Junior Miss contestant talked about the many activities they enjoy. Before the Little Miss contestants were introduced, 2024 Little Miss Olivia Harmsen was escorted to the stage by her father John. Little Miss Olivia told the crowd to sit back, relax and get my favorite food, Culler’s Fries. This year’s Little Miss contestants were: Millie Mason, Luella Leevey, Emmylou McCree, Finley Farmer, Brynlee Bossingham, Elizabeth Gail Fitzpatrick, Leighton Neitzel, Isabella Rifner, Charlee Gleason, Deryn Bainter, Stella Anderson, Vayda Farmer, Amelia Clemens, Eislee Bolen, Ava Bunn, Carleigh Bregar, Kynlee Adams and Piper Haff ner. Little Miss contestants were judged on an earlier interview that made up 75 percent of their score. The remaining 25 percent of the score came from their stage presence at the Continued --
Page 51 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 pageant. Judges also choose Miss photogenic from their pageant photos. As always, the Little Miss contestants provided some sweet moments as they introduced themselves and fl ashed their cute smiles. After each contestant introduced herself, Kurtz read their career plan. These ambitious young ladies have career plans which include being a pilot, rock star, professional basketball player, singer, babysitter or mommy. Some want to be teachers, nurses, veterinarians or police offi cers. Time between sections was fi lled by special guests. These included queens, junior misses, little misses and others with titles from various Illinois counties who stood up to be recognized. Other guests included several former Logan County Fair Queens, Junior Misses and Little Misses. These included winners from recent years such as 2018 Fair Queen Molly Schemp and 2023 Junior Miss Ellie Wrage to Elizabeth Wrage, who was Fair Queen 25 years ago. Before results were announced, the outgoing 2024 royalty gave farewell speeches. Little Miss Olivia talked about her incredible year and favorite events like the Pink Pumpkin Auction, sheep costume contest and parades. She also said she enjoyed the time to get to know Queen Abbie and Junior Miss Sophia and getting to know this year’s contestants. Olivia also thanked her family for always supporting her, the pageant crew and fair board for making this night possible and Pageant Director Bethany Rademaker for all she did over the past year. Junior Miss Sophia thanked the Fair board, pageant crew and family for their support. Being crowned was her favorite part of the week. She said some of her best moments from the week she was crowned, and started the best fair week ever, included receiving a showmanship award, catching a goat in the scrambles and winning supreme heifer in the cattle show. Over the year, Sophia loved being in parades, participating in festivals and being in a hot air balloon. She said the events would not have been as much fun without Little Miss Olivia making her laugh even when they needed to be serious. Sophia said she loved Queen Abbie’s bubbly personality and her inner and outer beauty. Sophia then said Queen Abbie was an incredible role model to her and watching her participate in the state pageant was very inspiring. She thanked the pageant committee for being the best and working so hard on this great night. In her farewell speech, Queen Abbie started by saying one year ago I was crowned and Continued --
Page 52 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 now in a few short moments, I will fi nish an experience that has been nothing short of a dream. Queen Abbie also thanked the pageant crew and others who put in so much time and hard work, her family for their great support and all the ways they helped her this past year. After going to many county fairs, which Abbie said were all amazing, she thinks Logan County is the best fair. With tears in her eyes, Abbie said she appreciated Little Olivia always brightening her days and sparkling in everything. She will miss her adventures with Olivia. To Sophia, Abbie said she remembered meeting Sophia for the fi rst time and being enamored with her kindness. She was very impressed by Sophia’s skill and passion when Sophia showed her cattle during fair week. Queen Abbie loved watching her “sash sisters” experience rides they had never been and getting Culler’s fries more times than she could count. Abbie wished that she had found out the three of them all had the same shoe earlier in her reign. To the next queen, Queen Abbie said, don’t blink because before you know it, you will be back on-stage next year crying like me. Meet people in the county and remember you represent the county no matter where you go or who you talk to. She thanked Logan County for the most incredible year in her life. Queen Abbie is thankful for her newfound confi dence and the memories. She said the community is unlike any other and she has been blessed to represent a county she will carry in her heart for the rest of her life. Finally, the judges’ decisions were announced: Julia Collins was crowned Logan County Fair Queen, Courtney Cecil Junior was crowned Junior Miss Logan County and Vayda Farmer was crowned Little Miss Logan County. The fi rst Runner-Up for queen was Ivy Sandel. The Dean Bruns Memorial Miss Congeniality Award went to new Queen Julia Collins. The Crowd’s Choice was Arianna Morris and she also connected with the most businesses. Bianca Adubato sold the most raffl e tickets. Other awards for the Junior Miss contest included First Runner-Up Olivia Wrage, who Continued --
Page 53 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 was also awarded Miss Congeniality. Courtney Cecil sold the most raffl e tickets and Crowd’s Choice winner was Emily Lawrence. Other awards for the Little Miss contest included First Runner-Up Finley Farmer, Second Runner-Up Stella Anderson, Crowd’s Choice Deryn Bainter and most photogenic Piper Haff ner. Queen Julia grew up in Atlanta and is the daughter of Ashley and Josh Collins. This fall, Queen Julia will be a sophomore at Iowa State University where she is studying teaching English as a second language. Interestingly, Queen Julia is the fi rst one to achieve a trifecta by winning Little Miss in 2011, Junior Miss in 2018 and now Queen in 2025. Queen Julia, Junior Miss Courtney and Little Miss Vayda will reign over the remainder of the Logan County Fair attending various events and presentations handing out ribbons. The fair royalty will then represent Logan County at various events throughout the year with Queen Julia competing in January for the title of Miss Illinois County Fair. [Angela Reiners]
Page 54 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
Page 55 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
Page 56 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
Page 57 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
Page 58 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
Page 59 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
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Page 74 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Kiddie tractor pull pulls out all the stops for young farmers Tuesday morning at 8 a.m., crowds of children gathered under the roof of the KC Pavilion at the Logan County Fair. Children competed for medals, trophies, and fair food prizes by pedaling a tractor that had a trailer attached to it with weights in the back. Whoever could pedal it fastest and the furthest would win the competition. Three diff erent categories were in place to keep the competition fair among the kids participating. The groups were divided into lightweight, middleweight, and heavyweight with the competition starting with the smallest of the group fi rst. Being the fi rst one to start is always hard, and some of the younger children were more timid when approaching the tractor. However, competitor Arainna Myers hit the ground running from where she was seated in waiting. She jumped onto the tractor from her sprint and before anyone could say a word to her about how to pedal it she was pushing to the end of the race. She won fi rst place in her division. Elliot Bruns was the winner of the middleweight category then followed Craig Hayes, who ran a close race against his competitors. All fi rst-place winners were awarded trophies for their eff ort, and second and third-place winners won medals. However, everyone was a winner and was given a t-shirt, handed out by a child family member of one of the helpers at the event, Sam Opperman. Opperman, as well as President Reagen Tibbs, explained the details of the Logan County Farm Bureau Young Leaders group. They shared that the organization has been around for around 40 years now and performs about 7-8 tractor pulls per year. Tibbs stated that this is an organization that “Supports anything we can in the community.”. As well as performing tractor pulls, it was stated that they would set up tours for high Continued --
Page 75 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 school children in F.F.A. The organization lets students from Olympia, Mt. Pulaski, Lincoln, and Hartsburg joined the tours. These tours have included a variety of diff erent facilities such as a wind farm in Hopedale, Bloomington Meats, and Precision Planting in Tremont. Not only do high schoolers get tours of local agriculture areas, but the Logan County Farm Bureau Young Leaders organization also raises money for scholarships for the students. This is done through an annual golf tournament that the organization puts on around every 4th of July weekend. The Logan County Bureau Young Leaders is not just for children, however. This organization is a group for anyone between the ages of 18 to 25 interested in agriculture. Meetings are on the second Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Logan County Farm Bureau offi ce. [Sophia Larimore]
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Page 77 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
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Page 82 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 On Tuesday, July 29th, 4-H hosted a Rabbit Show as a part of the Logan County Fair. The show was held in the Livestock Show barn beginning at about 8:00 a.m. There were more competitors this year than last year, with four girls submitting rabbits to be judged. The four competitors included Reagan Titus, Hannah Glandon, Raelee Komnick, and Cloey Sandel. 4-H rabbit show awards banners to four competitors Komnick and Glandon arrived early with their rabbits. Komnick brought Oreo, while Glandon had Bean. She shared that she has been calling Bean ‘Mean Bean,’ as she has been nipping at Glandon recently. Bean did very well during the show, however. Continued --
Page 83 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Once the show began, it was Jerry Hicks who was doing the judging again this year. Hicks would gently, but fi rmly, pick up each rabbit, turning them over and looking at things like their coats and teeth. He would do so quietly, but after inspecting each animal, he would tell the girls good things and things that could be better about the animals. After judging for a category, he would pick a winner. In addition to inspecting the rabbits, he also took some time to teach the girls about their rabbits. At one point, he talked about the importance of a rabbit’s teeth placement, so that the top teeth overlap the bottom teeth. After Hicks was fi nished inspecting the animals, it was time for Junior and Senior Showmanship. Hicks instructed each of the competitors on how to hold the animal so that, if they show rabbits in the future, they would know how to do so for a judge. He also reminded them about what to talk about and show to a judge that they would want to see. Continued --
Page 84 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 All four girls won at least one banner. They then each took a picture with the Logan County Fair Royalty. Titus won Top Senior Showmanship, but her banner was awarded to her at a later time. Glandon won Champion Rabbit and Best of All 4 Class Breeds. Komnick received the award for Top Junior Showman, and Sandel won the awards for Best Opposite of Sex All 4 Class Breeds and Reserve Champion Rabbit. [Matt Boutcher]
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Page 88 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 On Tuesday, July 29th, the Logan County Fair hosted a Junior Poultry Show. The show was held in the Livestock Showbarn starting around 8:30 a.m. This show followed directly after the 4-H Rabbit Show that was held in the same barn. This year, there were fi ve competitors. There were many categories that chickens were judged for, and not every competitor submitted an animal for each one. Judging the chickens was Josh Flees. Flees proved knowledgeable of chickens, as each time he looked at a bird, he would make comments on the things that were good about the animal, as well as the things that could be better. He would pull every animal out of their cage, looking them over while talking about them. Occasionally, he would show something to the child that submitted the animal. After Flees judged for each category, Jill Peters would make note of who received which place in each category. Megan Opperman would then hand out ribbons to each child that received one. No child left empty handed, as all of their birds won one prize or another. Continued --
Page 89 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
Page 90 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 The fi ve competitors were Konnor Peters, Adelynn Peters, Luke Wibben, Falyn Farmer, and Natalie Palmquist, with Palmquist being the big winner of the day. Palmquist took home fi rst in six of the day's judging categories. In some of the categories, the same competitor won more than one place, as they submitted more than one bird for that category. The categories, as well as the placement of each competitor, is as follows: Single Cockerel, Mediterranean: ○ 1st: Natalie Palmquist ○ 2nd: Natalie Palmquist ○ 3rd: Konnor Peters ○ 4th: Adelynn Peters Single Pullet, Mediterranean: ○ 1st: Natalie Palmquist ○ 2nd: Natalie Palmquist ○ 3rd: Konnor Peters ○ 4th: Adelynn Peters Pen of 3, Mediterranean: ○ 1st: Natalie Palmquist ○ 2nd: Adelynn Peters Single Pullet, American: ○ 1st: Luke Wibben Single Hen, American: ○ 1st: Falyn Farmer Single Cockerel, Bantam, Clean: ○ 1st: Natalie Palmquist ○ 2nd: Natalie Palmquist Single Pullet, Bantam, Clean: ○ 1st: Natalie Palmquist ○ 2nd: Natalie Palmquist Pen of 3, Bantam, Clean: ○ 1st: Natalie Palmquist Single Pullet, Hybrids/Xbred: ○ 1st: Luke Wibben Single Hen, Hybrids/Xbred: ○ 1st: Falyn Farmer [Matt Boutcher]
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Page 92 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025
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Page 94 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Floriculture Boasts Beautiful Blooms at the Logan County Fair The fi rst day of the Floriculture competition at the Logan County Fair saw gardeners bringing beautiful cut fl owers, plants, and arrangements to the fair for judging in Tuesday’s show. Divisions in Tuesday’s judging included Cut Flowers, Gladiolus, Arrangements for Artistic Eff ects, Roses, and Small Plants. The top four in each category received a ribbon and a cash prize with championships also awarded in each division. Cut Flowers featured both annuals and perennials with favorites such as marigolds, conefl owers, black-eyed Susans, and sunfl owers plus 22 other categories and four types of Gladiolus vying for ribbons. Flower arrangers had the option of ten diff erent themes for artistic arrangements within this year’s theme of “Quips and Quotes and Floral Notes.” These creations were set up in triptychs lining the walls of the showroom. Each category used a quotation to inspire the arrangement such as “One bright shiny start” and “Family reunion picnic.” Nineteen separate categories of roses sorted by color and size fi lled one third of the show space with shades of red, pink, yellow, and white as well as a lovely fragrance. Small plants no taller than 12 inches, in pots no larger than seven inches by seven inches, rounded out the contest with examples of cactus, succulents, and small fl owering plants and herbs. Tuesday’s Challenge Classes– Illinois Challenge, Pat LaForge Memorial Challenge, and Edith Wibben Memorial Challenge– off ered special awards for winners of these three classes. The Illinois Challenge Class of one herb and one cut fl ower in one container was awarded a prize from Lincoln Farm and Home Supply. The Pat LaForge Memorial Challenge of a fl oral arrangement of fresh fl owers with a religious theme was this year inspired by the quote “When I Heard the Church Bells Ring” and an award was given by her family. The Edith Wibben Memorial Challenge Class was for a hanging plant with a special award given by her family. This year’s [Stephanie Hall] Champions and Challenge winners are: Illinois Challenge– Susan Selenik (no photo) Pat LaForge Memorial Challenge– Wayne LaForge Grand Champion Arrangement– Jenna Conrady
Page 95 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Reserve Champion Arrangement– Cindy Gleason Grand Champion Rose– Kaye Wessbecher Reserve Champion Rose– Jim Wessbecher Grand Champion Cut Flower– Susan Selenik
Page 96 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Reserve Champion Cut Flower– Susan Selenik Grand Champion Gladiolus– Wayne LaForge Grand Champion Small Plant– Jim Wessbecher Reserve Champion Small Plant– Susan Selenik
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Page 110 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Dept MP - Open Photography
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Page 115 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Wednesday July 30, 2025
Page 116 Lincoln Daily News 2025 Logan County Fair Jul/Aug 2025 Mother Nature rains down on the Logan County Fair 4-H swine show It seems that Mother Nature has a love – hate relationship with the Logan County Fair. She loves to make us hate her! This reporter has been covering the Logan County Fair for neigh onto twenty years and can count on the fi ngers of one hand the years that we have had mild temperatures, low humidity, gentle breezes and suffi cient sunshine. Until Wednesday the count for days when it was downright cold were zilch, but for those who were at the fairgrounds on Wednesday trying to enjoy the 4-H swine show, there was a period of time between 11:11 a.m. and a little after noon that the temperatures reached 68 degrees. Rain pelted the ground leaving large ponds of water throughout the fairgrounds. The wind was so fi erce that those sitting on the west end of the livestock show barn watching kids show their pigs actually got wet – inside the building! The week had started out very hot, and apparently Mother Nature got tired of the complaints and decided to give folks a taste of the other end of the spectrum. Nonetheless, the youth showing their animals and the adults watching them literally “weathered the storm” and went about their business as usual. The day began with judge Weston Tharp from Newton casting a critical eye on several classes of gilts. Tharp is employed by a large hog operation in Jasper County and was on the Lake Land College Livestock judging team while a student at the school. Prior to the beginning of the show, guests got a special treat as a young man from Logan County, also a member of 4-H, Raylon Schneider, performed the National Anthem. Some folks may remember Raylon as the winner in the youth division of last year’s talent contest at the fair. This year the purebred entries were down, with several of the classes such as the Yorkshire light weight gilts having only one entry. In the gilts there was a sizeable showing of Chester Whites, and the crossbred class also contained several entries. There were no entries for the Hampshire class at the fair this year. Continued --
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