Thomason to compete at state pageant

By Editor | January 19, 2012 |

The IAAF Convention will be held Jan. 19-23 at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield. At this convention, county fair officials can get ideas and book events for their 2012 fair.

A big part of this convention is the Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant. Miss Fayette County Fair Queen Marisa Thomason will compete for this title, along with 69 other contestants from throughout the state.
Fayette County Pageant Director Kim Fitch – along with crew member Vicki Koonce, and hair and makeup stylists Sarah Cripe and Kassandra Cunnea from Maranatha’s – will attend this year’s convention, along with many family members, fair board members, pageant crew members and friends who will be there to cheer her on.
Thomason is the 19-year-old daughter of Tony and Shelly Thomason of Brownstown. She is attending Greenville College to obtain a degree in elementary education.
After graduation, she hopes to obtain a job as a kindergarten teacher.
Instructions will be given for the weekend during the official roll call time Thursday at 1 p.m.
Also at this time, official swimsuit and evening gown pictures will be taken.
Miss Illinois County Fair Queen 2011 Jackie Driscoll will then host a party for all of the contestants.
Friday will be the interview day. Each contestant will have a personal interview with the five judges.
This is a big part of the competition, because the title of Miss Illinois County Fair is a job. The new queen will be an employee of the state of Illinois for the year.
She will be the hostess of both state fairs and travel throughout the state to other county fairs, and she will speak to the Illinois House of Representatives and Senate.
The preliminary competition is held on Saturday. Each contestant will compete in evening gown, swimsuit and a 60-second speech. Thomason will be in the afternoon group, which begins at 1 p.m.
The public is invited to attend. All events are at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield.
Sunday is the final day of competition. All 70 contestants will do a production number, and the top 15 finalists will be announced. This is reserved seating only.
There will be a sit-down banquet, and the top 15 finalists will compete in speech, evening gown, swimsuit and three pop questions.
Miss Illinois County Fair Queen 2012 will be announced following this competition.
Anyone who would like to send Thomason a card wishing her good luck may send it to P.O. Box 6, Brownstown Ill. 62418.