Published on August 5, 2026 6:35 am
Last Updated on August 5, 2026 10:37 am
Marah Kirk is the 2026 Miss Effingham County Fair Queen.
Queen Marah was crowned Tuesday night by 2025 Queen Krista Phillips. She will reign over the balance of this year’s fair. She will also compete in January at the Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant as part of the Illinois Association of County Fairs Convention. If she wins there, she would reign over the 2027 Illinois State Fair and DuQuoin State Fair.
Queen Krista, meanwhile, will continue to reign until the January pageant as 2026 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen.
Queen Marah is the daughter of JP and Jennifer Kirk.
Bekka Bloom was chosen first runner-up, Olivia Wermert second runner-up, Korina Hecht third runner-up, Elle Keller is Most Photogenic, and Haydyn Baker had the biggest fan club.
Wednesday will be a busy day at the fair. The Freedom 250 Museum will be open from 11am to 9pm. Seven heats of Illinois Standard Bred harness racing are scheduled today with a post time of 12 Noon. Hear the action on KJ Country 102.3.
Community Showcase events are scheduled for 3:30pm and 5:30pm in the Schuetzenfest Building. On the free stage at 5pm, Balloons by Kimberly. The carnival will open at 6pm and it’s Family Bargain Night.
The feature evening attraction is the Pro Pulling League Champion Seed Western Series and Local Tractors and Semis pulling action at 7pm, sponsored by Dust and Son and Wix Filters.
The judging schedule today…the 4-H and Junior Rabbit Show at 8am and the Junior Cat Show at 8am, the 4-H Cat Show at 9am, and the 4-H Youth Auction at 5pm.
The Effingham County Fair runs through Saturday at Altamont.
