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| 1977 Miss Henry County Fair Queen (picture provided by Cambridge Public Library) |
Believe it or not, the Henry County Queen Pageant has not
been going on for 155 years. The first Miss Henry County Fair Pageant was held
in 1960. Isn’t it ironic that the event most associated with a fair is one of
the later events to be added to the fair program? Twenty-seven girls entered in
the pageant and the winner received $200 cash, a trophy, three dozen roses and
a diamond ring. The pageant was a success because it drew the largest fair
crowd in many years.
In the newspapers
clipping found in Frances Johnston’s scrapbook it was noted that contestants
should wear “closed toed” opera pump shoes, with no ankle straps. But it was
not necessary that they be new. The preliminaries were held at the Cambridge
Community Center with the four finalists selected would appear in front of the
grandstand where the winner would be chosen. The article noted that each of the
finalists would receive a pair of hose and a flower to hold at the crowning
ceremony.
The very first Henry County Fair Queen was Glenna Lee Moore,
the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gleen Moore, and was crowned by Governor William
Statton. Ms. Moore went on to place 9th at the Miss Illinois State Queen
Contest. If anyone knows about Glenna’s whereabouts, have photos from that
event, or memories they would like to share, please post it in the comments
section.
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