Nine contestants vie for 2026 Miss Adams County Fair Queen title
Published 9:49 am Friday, July 24, 2026
QUINCY — Nine local contestants will compete for the title of 2026 Miss Adams County Fair Queen when the Adams County Fair opens Wednesday, July 29, capping months of preparation in interview, speech, and stage presence.
The reigning queen, 20-year-old Andrea Schaffnit of Mendon, is studying healthcare management at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and plans to pursue a master’s degree in hospital administration.
This year’s contestants for the Miss Adams County Fair Queen title include:
Audrey McKinney, 17, of Liberty, a Liberty High School student set to graduate in 2027 who plans to pursue nursing and become a labor and delivery nurse.
Sierra Miller, 20, of Quincy, a Quincy Senior High School graduate attending Western Illinois University, where she is double majoring in music education and music therapy with plans to teach elementary music.
Cloe Owens, 19, of Liberty, a Liberty High School graduate who will enter Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing this fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Rebekkah Waterkotte, 17, of Coatsburg, a Central High School student set to graduate in 2027 who plans to study nursing at John Wood Community College while playing softball, with a goal of becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist.
Claire Norsworthy, 18, of Fowler, a recent Unity High School graduate who plans to study agriculture business at Connors State College before continuing her education at Oklahoma State University.
Brinley Hackamack, 16, of Fowler, a Liberty High School student set to graduate in 2028 who plans to study animal science at John Wood Community College and later the University of Illinois, with the goal of becoming a large-animal veterinarian.
Lily Baker, 18, of Quincy, a recent Quincy Senior High School graduate who plans to study animal science at John Wood Community College before pursuing veterinary school to become a large-animal veterinarian.
Chloe Shaffer, 19, of Mendon, a Unity High School graduate now attending Culver-Stockton College, where she is double majoring in business administration and marketing with plans to open her own business.
Bailey Heller, 16, of Liberty, a Liberty High School student set to graduate in 2027 who plans to study secondary mathematics education and become a high school teacher.
The Little Miss and Mr. Adams County Pageant will begin the evening of July 29 at 6 p.m., followed by the Miss Adams County Fair Queen Pageant at 7 p.m. The Junior Miss Adams County and Teen Miss Adams County pageants will take place Thursday, July 30, at 7 p.m.
Also included in Thursday evening’s events will be the 10th annual Sweetheart of Adams County Pageant, which gives individuals of all ages with intellectual or physical disabilities the chance to be crowned king or queen for a day. The event, open to participants from birth to age 99, is designed to help individuals build life skills, self-confidence, and a sense of accomplishment.
The 2026 Adams County Fair runs from July 29 through Aug. 4 at the Adams County Fairgrounds off Highway 336 in Mendon. A full schedule of events is available through the fair’s website.
