‘Carefree’ Winnebago County Fair Queen focused on fun over fashion
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — This year’s Winnebago County Fair queen put personality over pageantry and fun over fashion.
Elizabeth Taylor said her dress was borrowed from a friend and came from the famously ultra-cheap company Shein. She didn’t even get her nails done.
But the 21-year-old nursing student, who was last year’s second runner-up and first runner-up the two previous years, said she was more relaxed on stage than ever before.
“It shows that the judges judged her on her. It’s not about your nails. It’s not about your makeup and your hair. It’s how you present yourself on stage,” said Kim Mathieu, pageant director. “It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing. Your personality and you have to come through — and it did on her a lot.”
Taylor was chosen to wear the crown from a field of eight contestants. She said she almost didn’t compete this year, but pageant friends convinced her to do so because it was her final year before aging out of the competition.
“I was just having fun on stage, very carefree,” Taylor said. “Half my closet was borrowed. I didn’t even get my nails done. I rode on my personality.”
This year’s Jr. Miss Winnebago County Fair queen is 12-year-old Stella Foley of Roscoe. Foley was second runner-up last year and first runner-up the year prior. She was the Little Miss Winnebago County Fair queen — the pageant for the youngest contestants — in 2018.
“I can’t even process it. I don’t even know how this crown is on my head right now,” Foley said. “I am so beyond thankful and I cannot wait for this amazing year.”
Foley wants to become a hair and makeup artist one day and run her own salon.
As queen, Taylor earns a $1,000 scholarship and will compete against queens from other counties in the Illinois state competition in January. She also represents the fair as the head of its court this week.
“I want to show girls you don’t need a lot of money to compete in pageants,” she said. “Have my closet is thrifted. … I”m a very DIY girl.”
Mathieu said she saw Taylor grow as a contestant and a person throughout her years in the pageant.
“When she first started I think she tried a little too hard and wasn’t herself,” Mathieu said. “Over the years I’ve seen her come out and her personality shines.”
Taylor’s jaw dropped when her name was announced as she locked hands with first runner-up Diana Ramos. Before getting her crown and sash, Taylor scrambled for a giant group hug with the other contestants.
“I honestly started the pageants because I wanted to make friends. I was new to town and I needed to make female friends,” she said. “I was just overjoyed because they’ve supported me all these years and I wouldn’t be here without them.”
Miss Winnebago County Fair results
Winner: Elizabeth Taylor, 21, of New Milford
First runner-up: Diana Ramos, 21, of Rockford
Second runner-up: Brylee Knutti, 17, of Pecatonica
Best interview: Madison Palm-Graceffa, 18, Winnebago
Best speech: Sarah Hinde, 20, of Seward
Best physiquelpoise/posture: Sarah Hinde
Crown bowl question: Sarah Hinde
Evening gown/stage presence: Katelyn Moore, 20, of Winnebago
Miss photogenic: Jamie McCabe, 16, of Pecatonica
Director’s Award: Alexa Sorg, 16, of Pecatonica
Miss Congeniality: Katelyn Moore
People’s Choice: Alexa Sorg
Jr. Miss Winnebago County Fair results
Winner: Stella Foley, 12, of Roscoe
First runner-up: Hailey Powers, 13, of Rockford
Second runner-up: Deegan Edwards, 13, of Rockford
Best interview: Khaleesi Sutherland, 11, of Pecatonica
Best speech: Claire Owens, 12, of Pecatonica
Best fun fashion: Claire Owens
Crown bowl question award: Khaleesi Sutherland
Evening gown/stage presence: Claire Owens
Miss photogenic: LeAnne Swinbank, 10, of Rockton
Director’s Award: Khaleesi Sutherland
Miss Congeniality: Claire Owens
People’s Choice: Claire Owens
More photos
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
