Features     Schedule     Pictures     Results     Illinois State Fair

Features

Miss Logan County Fair 2002 crowned

By Nicki (Knopp) Green

[JULY 31, 2002]  "We know the fair queen!" squealed behind me! I just happened to be sitting in the middle of the fan section for Miss Amy Rohrer, the new 2002 Logan County Fair queen. As master of ceremonies Derek Long announced Amy’s name, the entire section around me burst into cheers and applause. What an exciting place to be sitting during the first event on the first night of the Logan County Fair.

From the time the ladies were driven into the grandstand in convertibles to the announcement of our new queen, the beautiful and talented 10 contestants kept those in attendance attracted to the stage all evening long.

As the ladies were being introduced, pageant director Penny Kilhoffer told the audience, "I’ll take any of them; they’re all a great bunch of gals."

 


[Photos by Bob Frank]

"If you could personally witness one event in history, what would it be and why?" Wow! Answer that in five seconds, wearing an evening gown and high heels, with the faces of Logan County waiting with anticipation to hear your answer!

That was the question that was asked of all 10 contestants during the evening gown competition. The responses varied from wanting to witness the Beatles perform at Shea Stadium (Lisa Behle), receiving chuckles from the audience, to responses of a more serious nature, such as the event of Sept. 11, 2001.

New Miss Logan County Fair Queen 2002 Amy Rohrer said the best thing about the pageant was meeting the other contestants. As queen, Amy is most looking forward to meeting the fair queens from counties around Illinois.

 

When I asked Amy if there was anything else she wanted to tell me about her experience, she replied, "No, I can’t believe it! I didn’t expect it…. And I’m sweating!"

Amy’s friends crowded around her with hugs and congratulations, wanting to know if they get free fair food now!

Rohrer is a 20-year-old junior at Western Illinois University, majoring in sports medicine with an emphasis on athletic training. Amy would like to work for a professional sports team someday.

With tears in her eyes, Amy’s mother, Deborah, said, "Can you believe it?"

Amy’s proud father, Jim, said with a smile, "I did not like the swimsuit competition — whether it’s my daughter or not!"

 

First runner-up was Angela Balance, the 20-year-old daughter of Sam and Priscilla Balance of Emden. Angela is a graduate of Hartsburg-Emden High School and a junior at Eureka College, majoring in business administration.

One of Angela’s fondest memories was attending the Logan County Fair as a proud 9-year-old little girl in pink showing her 240-pound grand champion barrow named Gus.

Second runner-up was Kate Wrage, 19-year-old daughter of Kurt and Lisa Wrage of Emden. Kate is a graduate of Hartsburg-Emden High School, a 2002 graduate of Lincoln College and will be a junior at Millikin University this fall, majoring in music education and vocal training.

Kate impressed the audience with her one-minute prepared speech about her business, Katie’s Berry Patch, of which she is the owner and operator.

 

[to top of second column in this article]

Summer Johnson, a 19-year-old sophomore at Illinois State University, was voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow competitors. After the pageant Summer she said that she was "kind of hesitant coming into the fair queen thing."

"I didn’t know what to expect, but the girls were all awesome," she said. "It was such a great experience! All I really wanted if I got anything at all was to be Miss Congeniality!"

The 10 contestants have been preparing for this night for weeks. The summer began with the contestants visiting other county fair pageants around the state. They have enjoyed "get acquainted" parties, three mandatory rehearsals and private coaching from the pageant committee. The ladies also had a personal interview with the judges before the evening competition at the Lincoln Elks Club.

 

The breakdown of categories that the judges were looking for is as follows: 35 percent personal interview, 20 percent stage presence during the evening gown competition, 20 percent beauty of the face and physical condition during the swimsuit competition, and 25 percent speech and communication skills during the "fish bowl question" and the one-minute prepared speech.

Pam Birdcell from Chandlerville was one of the three judges for this year’s competition. When asked how our pageant compares to other pageants around the state, Birdcell stated that Logan County has a "wonderful pageant." She went on to say that they were "a nice group of girls."

"They all interviewed very well," she said. "They seemed to be very wholesome girls, which was a nice change."

Miss Logan County 2002 Amy Rohrer will be responsible for awarding ribbons and trophies throughout this year’s fair. She will represent Logan County by competing in the state fair pageant in Springfield in January, as well as attending other parades and festivals across the state on behalf of Logan County.

 

Over $1,000 in scholarship monies will be awarded to the 2002 queen. Her Majesty and the first and second runner-up will receive hundreds of dollars worth of gifts from various businesses and private families. All contestants received a long-stem rose, pictures from the pageant and an engraved Logan County Fair Queen Pageant charm.

The pageant crew was made up of Rochelle Johnson, Amanda Kilhoffer, Michelle Kilhoffer, Robin Levi, Georgia Nutt, Nina Westen, Brandy White and Valarie White. Penny Kilhoffer has been the pageant director for the past 10 years and said she could not put on the pageant without such a great support from her crew.

 


[This little one wins the LDN
"Cutest Audience Member" award]

On a personal note, I have known our new Miss Logan County, Amy Rohrer, for several years now through my sister, Katie. Amy and Katie have been good friends, and I have enjoyed watching them cheer together in high school and continue to get together for reunions when home from college.

Congratulations, Amy! We’re all proud of you!

[Nicki (Knopp) Green]


Fair’s attractions include
paintings and other fine arts

[JULY 30, 2002]  An art gallery is one place to view paintings, ceramics and photographs. Another is the Logan County Fair.

[Click here for photos]

The Fine Arts Division at the fair offers 66 separate classes as well as seven best-of-show awards. Classes are divided according to medium (watercolors, woodworking), subject matter (garden theme, Christmas) and age of artist. The Photography Division comprises 21 classes divided between black-and-white and color, with one best-of-show award. Lincoln College sponsors all the best of show plaques.

Renee Sisk of rural Lincoln, who supervises the Fine Arts Division, says she sets the classes based on number of entries in recent years and other indications of local interest. In 2001, for example, Sisk responded to requests by adding a religious theme class in pen and ink.

Computer-enhanced photographs began to appear at the fair several years ago, and a category for the genre was added last year. New this year is a class called Spotlight on Logan County.

When Sisk began working at the fair 15 or more years ago, woodworking was big enough to warrant having a separate judge. But since then, she recalled, some of the local woodworkers are gone and fewer pieces are entered. Now there are just four woodworking classes — woodcarving, wood turning, furniture and small handmade objects.

Some fine arts entrants are students in art classes in Lincoln and Mount Pulaski, so the availability of classes is one predictor of interest. Sisk herself teaches painting in her home to adults, and some of her students enter.

In 2002 there are 11 classes each for oil and acrylic paintings and for ceramics but only one class for watercolors. However, Sisk says the number of people who paint ceramics is dwindling, so for next year she may cut back there and add another watercolor class. "It’s kind of a guessing game from year to year," she admitted.

Total prize money is fixed — $1,436 for fine arts, $567 for photography — so some categories must diminish when others increase. Prizes in fine arts classes vary, with the top in adult classes set at $12 for artwork and for crafts but $10 for ceramics. In classes for young people first prize is $6-8. All ages enter the same photography classes, and the top prize for each is $8.

Any amateur can enter an original work of art completed in the last two years as long as it did not win last year. "Competition is open to the world," according to the 2002 Logan County Fair book. In practice, however, most entrants live in Logan County.

Some artists exhibit for many years. "It’s neat seeing improvement in artists who come back year after year," Sisk said.

One of her favorites, Wanda Gardner, showed paintings every year until her death two years ago. "She was self-taught, spontaneous, very creative," Sisk said. She praised Gardner’s expressiveness and likened her style to that of 20th-century French surrealist Marc Chagall.

 

[to top of second column in this article]

Each work sports an exhibitor’s tag, and sometimes fairgoers contact the artists to make purchases. All works, however, remain on exhibit until 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Fine Arts Division classes for young people are separated by age — 13-17, 10-12, 7-9 and under 7. Sisk, who is art specialist for Lincoln Elementary District 27, enjoys seeing the progress of current and former students. She also expressed pleasure at the increasing number of high-school entries. "It’s neat to see parents encouraging their students," she added.

The fine arts competition has seen many different judges over the years, though Sisk likes to keep a good judge for several years. She chooses from college professors, practicing artists and others who work in the field. This year there is one judge for ceramics and another for all other fine arts classes. These include oil and acrylic paintings, watercolors, pastels, pencil, pen and ink, woodworking, weaving, and stained glass. Children’s classes include acrylics or oils, crayon, chalk, markers, model kits, and sculpture.

Entries closed July 19 and are now recorded by computer. Still, division superintendents did not know until entries arrived on Monday just how many there were in each class. The reason is that one entry fee of $6 ($2 for children under 9) covers any number of entries. So an exhibitor can take a tag for every class and decide later which ones to enter.

All paintings and drawings must be framed, wired and ready to hang. Sisk said that in her first years working with the division she was at the fairgrounds until midnight hanging the show. This year entries must be submitted by 3 p.m., enabling her to finish earlier. She begins hanging as soon as works are checked in, but allocating space is complicated by not knowing the number and sizes of entries ahead of time.

For about 10 years Jo Ellen Maske of Mount Pulaski has supervised the Photography Division. It offers classes in nine subject areas: abstract or still life, animals, architectural or historical places, floral, water, scenery, sunset, people, and human interest. In addition, there are two classes for computer-modified or enhanced prints and one focusing on Logan County subjects. Steak-N-Shake sponsors eight of the classes.

Photos must be between 8-by-10 and 8-by-12 inches and mounted on a board no larger than 11-by-14 inches. Formerly, entries also had to be framed, but this year there are new racks to display the matted photographs. They could be delivered up to 6 p.m. Monday. No photo can be entered in more than one class.

[Lynn Shearer Spellman]


Cake Classic demonstration

[JULY 30, 2002]  Marge Knowles, "The Cake Lady," will be demonstrating her cake decorating skills at the Logan County Cake Classic. She will demonstrate how to properly ready a cake for decorating, share decorating tips and answer questions at 1:30 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4.

Mrs. Knowles will donate her finished cake to the Cake Classic, and it will be auctioned with the other cakes at 5 p.m. Proceeds will go to the 4-H program in Logan County.


Meet me at the fair

[JULY 29, 2002]  You don’t have to go all the way to St. Louis for a great fair this year. We’re having one right here in Logan County. With rides, shows and even the ever-popular tractor pulls, what more could you ask for?

Entrance fees are the same as usual $2 for adults, children 12 and under go free. Or, you can buy a season ticket at the gate for just $7! And if you want to save some steps, seasonal parking is available for just $3.

Luehrs’ Ideal Rides will grace the skyline and provide hours of fun for kids of all ages. During the week, the carnival opens at 6 p.m., but on Saturday and Sunday they’re open from 1 p.m. If it’s the rides you like, be sure to visit Tuesday and Sunday, because that’s when all rides are one ticket each (tickets cost $1 each or 16 for $15). You can visit their website for ticket coupons: http://www.luehrs.com.

Other standard attractions this year include the agriculture, livestock and art shows, children’s scrambles and the annual talent show. Harness racing will occur each afternoon Thursday through Sunday. Judging will occur throughout the week. Click here for a full schedule of events.

The grandstand will be rocking most of the week. Most grandstand events will require an extra fee, but there are two free events: the 4-H Horse Show on Tuesday morning and the Open Horse Show on Wednesday morning. For all other events, you can reserve seats ahead of time for a slightly higher fee. Children under six are admitted to general admission free with an adult, except for Sunday evening.

One special feature this year will be the grandstand bonus and added season-ticket awards, sponsored by CEFCU. Each night, except for Sunday, everyone entering the grandstand will be given a ticket for a $100 drawing. You must be present in the grandstand to win. On Sunday, the $100 prize will be given to a season ticket or exhibitor ticket holder. To enter, put your name and phone number on the back of your ticket and drop it off on Sunday. You do not have to be present to win this drawing.

So what’s going on when?

The fair will kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday morning at 9. Judging will continue all day. At 7:15 p.m., the Interveteran Council will host the official opening ceremony, followed immediately by the fair queen pageant. Ten girls from all over the county will compete in a quest for the crown. The chosen Miss Logan County Fair will serve as hostess for the fair. She will present trophies and ribbons and assist in other activities throughout the fair. If you see her, you will know her by her attire: a dress, crown and sash. She will also represent Logan County for the next year at many events around the state, including the Miss Illinois County Fair pageant next January. [Click here for contestants.]

Just before the queen pageant, in addition to the grandstand bonus, there will be another drawing. P&M Communications will be giving away a direct TV satellite system. Once again, you have to be there to win.

 

[to top of second column in this article]

Wednesday’s main attraction is the talent contest, sponsored by Kroger. Logan County’s finest will gather to show off their skills in dancing, singing and banjo picking for your entertainment and a chance at cash prizes. The talent contest will take place at 7:30 p.m. Those wishing to enter should contact Cindy Howard.

Thursday afternoon will bring the Flying Feet Cloggers. They will perform in front of the Special Events Building at 5 p.m. The tractor pull contest, sponsored by Sheley’s Repair and FS Service, will be at 6:30 p.m. in the grandstand. There will be five classes, all ITPA-sanctioned.

Friday is Senior Citizens Day and 4-H Night. Seniors get in to the fair and to the afternoon harness racing in the grandstand absolutely free. Logan County Bank and The Oasis will be sponsoring other activities in the Special Events Building starting at 3 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., the 4-H children’s scrambles will be in the grandstand. Sixteen children age 5 or 6 will chase chickens around the field, trying to catch the flapping creatures to win a prize. Children ages 7 through 9 will scramble for a kid goat, and 4-H’ers ages 9 through 14 will fumble after pigs. Youth ages 12 through 17 will compete in the calf scramble. Those who catch goats, pigs or calves will then become the owners of those animals.

Saturday is Kids Day. The day will begin with a chili cook-off and 3-on-3 basketball. At 1 p.m., there will be children’s events in the Special Events Building, harness racing in the grandstand, and Luehrs’ rides begins their bargain afternoon for kids (which continues until 5 p.m.). The winning smile contest will be in the special events building at 4 p.m. The evening will finish out with a country music concert by 16-year-old Wade Dooley.

[Click here for a picture of Wade Dooley]

Sunday is the final day of the fair. It is also Family Day. Luehrs’ rides will cost only one ticket each. The Logan County Cake Classic auction will be at 5 p.m. in the Special Events Building. Proceeds from the auction will go to the Logan County 4-H. The fair will end with a closing ceremony hosted by the Interveteran Council and a demolition derby sponsored by Webb Promotions (6 p.m. in the grandstand).

So come out and see what the fair has to offer you, and don’t forget to schedule for next year’s fair, July 29-Aug. 3, 2003.

[Gina Sennett]



Pictures


Schedule

Logan County Fair

July 30 - Aug. 4

*Denotes time of judging

Tuesday, July 30

Queen pageant night

Bargain night

All rides take one ticket; 16 tickets for $15 or $1 each

7:30 a.m. — 4-H and Department H Rabbits

8 a.m. — 4-H and Department H Poultry

8:30 a.m. — Young farmer kiddie tractor pull, moved to front of Republican tent.

*8 a.m. — Textiles (closed judging)

9 a.m. — Ribbon-cutting ceremony at front gate

9 a.m. — Department M Fine Arts (closed judging)

9 a.m. — Department M Photography (closed judging)

9 a.m. — Department J Agriculture Products (closed judging)

9 a.m. — 4-H and Department H Horse and Pony Show

11 a.m. — Department L Floricultural, except glads and potted plants (closed judging)

1 p.m. — 4-H Cats and 4-H and Department H Junior Goats

7:15 p.m. — Opening ceremony with Interveteran Council

7:30 p.m. — 2002 queen pageant

Wednesday, July 31

Talent contest

8 a.m. — 4-H Swine

8 a.m. — 4-H, Department H and Department B Dairy

8 a.m. — Department H and Department B Milking Shorthorns

9 a.m. — Open Horse Show

9 a.m. — Textiles (closed judging)

10 a.m. — Department O Culinary, except cakes and candies (open judging)

3 p.m. — Department M Style Show, in Special Events Building

6 p.m. — Luehrs Ideal Rides open

7:30 p.m. — Talent contest

Thursday, Aug. 1

Tractor pull contest

*8 a.m. 4-H Beef; 4-H and Department H Junior Sheep

1:30 p.m. — Harness racing

4 p.m. Round robin livestock showmanship

5-6 p.m. — Flying Feet Cloggers, in front of Special Events Building.

6 p.m. Luehrs’ Ideal Rides open: "Ride-A-Thon" 6 p.m. to closing; $12 to ride all evening (weather permitting)

6:30 p.m. — Tractor pull contest, sponsored by Sheley’s Repair and Sheley’s FS Service

Friday, Aug. 2

Senior Citizens Day and 4-H Night

* 8 a.m.Department F Sheep

* 8 a.m.Department G Swine

*10 a.m.Department O Cakes and Candies (open judging)

*11 a.m.Department L Potted Plants and Glads (closed judging)

11 a.m.4-H livestock and article consignment deadline

1:30 p.m. — Harness racing

2-4 p.m.Pick up 4-H premium checks at 4-H office at north end of fairgrounds

3 p.m. Senior citizens entertainment in Special Events Building, sponsored by Logan County Bank with The Oasis

6 p.m. — Luehrs’ Ideal Rides open

7 p.m.Pig and calf scramble meeting

7:30 p.m. — Children’s chicken and goat scrambles; pig scramble, ages 9-15 as of Aug. 4; calf scramble, ages 12-17 as of Aug. 4

Saturday, Aug. 3

Kids Day — bargain afternoon, 1-5

Country music show — Wade Dooley

* 8 a.m. — Chili cook-off

* 8 a.m. — Department A Open Beef

* 8 a.m. Department H Junior Beef

8 a.m. — 3-on-3-basketball

1 p.m. Kids day, south end of fairgrounds, Special Events Building

1 p.m. — Harness racing

1 p.m. Luehrs’ Ideal Rides open

4 p.m. — Winning smile contest, Special Events Building

7 p.m. — Country music show: Wade Dooley

Sunday, Aug. 4

Family Day — discount rides

All carnival rides take one ticket per ride. (Good for tickets purchased Sunday only.)

Noon — Logan County Cake Classic

1 p.m. — Luehrs Ideal Rides open

1 p.m. — Harness racing; Downstate Classic for 2-year-olds

2 p.m. — 4-H livestock auction in show ring at north end of fairgrounds

3 p.m. — Pick up premium checks for open classes at secretarys office

4 p.m. — Exhibits released for pickup

5 p.m. — All 4-H exhibits must be removed

5 p.m. — Logan County Cake Classic auction, Special Events Building

6 p.m. — Closing ceremony, Interveteran Council

6 p.m. — Demo derby, Webb Promotions, T.N.G., Inc.


Results

Back to top


 

News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching & Learning | Home and Family | Tourism | Obituaries

Community | Perspectives | Law & Courts | Leisure Time | Spiritual Life | Health & Fitness | Calendar

Letters to the Editor