Earlier this month, The Knox County Fair kicked off its fair season with its pageant crowning Clara Kuelper the 2023 Miss Knox County Fair Queen.
Kuelper grew up going to the fair showing every species she can at the fair. She also has grown up competing in the Knox County Fair Pageant.
“I’ve been doing pageants since I was about five years old. I started out in the Little Miss pageant here at Knox County,” said Kuelper. “Since then, I’ve kind of grown up through the system and learned a lot of very important skills, like leadership and communication.”
Kuelper will be a freshman at the University of Illinois this year on a pre-med track majoring in nutrition and health.
As a contestant in the Knox County Fair pageant, Kuelper competed in a personal interview, private swimsuit, speech, pop question, and evening gown competitions. During her speech, she discussed the need to gain the trust of consumers as producers share their stories.
“I met up with our local 4-H extension office and I talked to them a little bit about current ag topics,” said Kuelper. ” So I was a little bit more knowledgeable and prepared for the pageant.”
Kuelper is joined by Jr. Miss and Little Miss Knox County Fair Dakota Detmers and Ellie Dare.
