EXPOSITION GARDENS has made the difficult decision to postpone the 2020 Heart of Illinois Fair scheduled for July 14-18. We were holding out hope that we might still be able to open the gates for some summer family fun. Unfortunately, it would be unwise and impractical to open trying to meet the Governor's current Restore Illinois guidelines. Even if the state goes to Phase 4 at the end of June, we would be limited on the number of attendees and would face daunting challenges to meet all safety guidelines. At this time, we are forced to postpone until a new date can be set later in the year.
Miss Heart of Illinois Fair Pageant Little Miss Participation Pageant Tuesday July 14, 2020
Director: Haley Ebeling
Area girls may compete in inaugural Queen Pageant at the 2020 HOI Fair
The first Miss Heart of Illinois Fair Queen and Little Miss Pageant will take place at the 70TH anniversary of the Heart of Illinois Fair in Peoria this summer. Contestants must be residents of or attend school in Fulton, Knox, Marshall, Mason, Peoria, Putnam, Stark, Tazewell or Woodford county.
The pageant will be held Tuesday, July 16 at 7 p.m. The new Queen will represent her fair and community, and she will compete at the 2020 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen competition. She will also win an educational scholarship, along with many other prizes.
Eligible contestants for the queen contest include ages 16 through 21.
For the Little Miss pageant, candidates must be 5 to 8 years old. Instead of a winner being selected, all the little girls will receive a rhinestone crown, princess goodie bag, and pageant T-shirt. Also, a People’s Choice winner will be named, and that little girl will get to ride in a parade with the Queen, waving and throwing candy to all her fans.
The application deadline is June 18. Those who are interested but can’t attend an information meeting are asked to send email to misshoifqueenpageant@gmail.com.