Chaney competing in Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Competition
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2021 Miss Edgar County Fair Queen Haley Chaney and 2021 Little Miss Edgar County Kadence McConkey
2021 Miss Edgar County Fair Queen Haley Chaney has set her sights on Miss Illinois County Fair Queen.
In July, Chaney was crowned Queen at the Edgar County Fair. “At first it was still very odd to hear that title come before my name, but now I am used to it,” Haley said. “It is so sweet to hear people tell their little ones ‘Say hi to the Queen’, ‘Wave at the Queen’, ‘Let’s get a picture with Miss Edgar County’.”
With her duties, Chaney has participated in multiple parades and attended a few events throughout the county. She recently attended the central zone meeting back in October. In addition to her duties, Chaney also began attending college at Indiana State University.
“It has been very difficult, I’m not going to lie. It is tough being in Terre Haute until three o’clock Illinois time in classes and having to rush back home and be ready for an event by five,” Chaney said.
Luckily, Chaney has the help of her parents when she’s pressed for time. “My mom always gets my hair done while I do makeup and my dad packs my car,” Haley said. Things got busier for Chaney when she joined the sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi and took on the role as the Director of Ritual Education. “My AOII sisters always help me out if I’m in a bind and need some assistance with anything.”
From January 13th-16th, Haley will be competing in the Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant. “Miss Illinois County Fair Queen is someone who represents the IAAF, Illinois Association of Agricultural Farms. She has a huge responsibility,” Chaney said. “She advocates for agriculture throughout the whole state and she travels all over the state to visit different pageants.”
Every county queen in the state is required to compete in this pageant. The main difference between Miss Edgar County and Miss Illinois County Fair Queen is the range in which she represents. As Miss Edgar County, Haley represents just Edgar County. Miss Illinois County represents the IAAF and is a face for all county fairs in the state. “There is also a ton more responsibilities as Miss Illinois County and a lot more traveling,” Chaney said.
With the pageant just a few weeks way, Haley has already begun preparations. “My outfits are currently getting worked on and my speech is written and almost memorized.”
Chaney will also spend these next few weeks attending mock interviews, meeting with past Queens who will give her advice and tell her what to do and what not to do. “I will also meet with a few ag experts to better prepare my knowledge of agriculture and I will be spending a lot of time walking in heels as well,” Chaney said.
The pageant will be held in Springfield at the Crowne Plaza. 2020 Fair Queen Kelsi Kessler from Macoupin County will give up her crown on January 16th. The talent show portion of the pageant has been canceled due to many fairs canceling and not having competitions this summer. Haley will have two days full of interviews and various other events. “It is a long couple of days, but it will be totally worth is since I get to spend it with some of the best girls in the state of Illinois.”
