Paige Wendling Crowned 2023 Fair Queen

Paige Wendling was crowned the 2023 Miss Effingham County Fair Queen Tuesday night.

Queen Paige succeeds 2022 Fair Queen Anna Carrell and will reign over the remainder of this year's fair.

The new queen will also compete at the Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant in Springfield in January. The winner there will reign over the 2024 Illinois State Fair and DuQuoin State Fair.

Krista Phillips was first runner-up, Nora Gannaway second runner-up, and Peyton Garrard third runner-up. 

 A full day of activities are planned today at the fair. Here's the schedule:

3:30pm and 5:30pm--Community Showcase in the Schuetzenfest Building

5pm--The carnival opens on Family Bargain Night

5:30pm--4-H Auction

7pm--Pro Pulling League Champion Seed Western Series sponsored by Dust and Son and Wix Filters

Here's the Wednesday judging schedule:

8am--4-H and Junior Rabbit Show

8am--Junior Cat Show

9am--4-H Cat Show

10am--Pygmy Goat Check-In

The fair runs through Saturday at the fairgrounds at Altamont.