Another Monroe County Fair Queen and Little Miss pageant is in the books, and this year’s crowns were presented to two young ladies who are the picture of grace and charm.

Little Miss Ellie Day was crowned by 2014 Little Miss Erin Halleran. If the Day name is familiar, it’s because Ellie’s older sister, Emma, was the 2012 Little Miss. But Ellie made it clear to her sister that this is her time to shine.

And shine she did, in a knee-length neon pink dress with a chiffon overlay on the full skirt and beaded bodice.

When the main event began, the five young women vying for fair queen were introduced in business wear and delivered prepared speeches on designated topics with poise and confidence.

The group swimsuit appearance gave the girls the opportunity to show off their figures in modest but classically beautiful one-piece suits.

But it was the evening gown segment the crowd came to see, and it didn’t disappoint.

Madison Stevens wore a red fit and flare dress with a sweetheart neckline accentuated with jewels along the check, at the sheer waist and down the back.

Hannah Egbert wore a dress of grey, with jewels along the bodice, down the sleeves and into the gently flared skirt.
Samantha Hasler’s dress was royal blue with a slim skirt with a slit of the left leg and a bejeweled top.

Micki Brinkmann stunned in a grey gown with a gentle fit-and-flare skirt and subtle crystals along the neckline and on her back, and a small train.

Angelica Elizalde wore a blue dress with a gentle full skirt and a colorful array of stones on the bodice.

After answering impromptu questions and expediting other elements of the pageant due to severe weather moving swiftly into the area, the judges were ready for 2014 Fair Queen Jessica Altadonna, along with visiting Miss Illinois County Fair Sadie Gassmann,  to present the trophies.

Egbert was named Miss Congeniality. First runner-up was also presented to Egbert.

Second runner-up was Stevens.

And the 2015 Monroe County Fair Queen was Brinkmann.

“For a moment I didn’t think it was real,” she said after the pageant. “After months of practicing, then to hear my name called, it just didn’t seem real.”

Brinkmann is enjoying her duties with her cohort Day, going to animal judging and handing out ribbons.

“She told me now she wants a bunny. A Dutch bunny,” Carrie Day said of daughter Ellie with a laugh.

“And she really wants a pair of cowgirl boots.”

The girls are also enjoying their celebrity status.

“Lots of little kids come up to us and ask to see the princesses. That’s what they call us. And being that I work with kids and I’m studying elementary education, that’s the best — interacting with all the kids,” Brinkmann said.

This year’s fair royalty will be busy the rest of the week, handing out awards for everything from the rooster crowing contest to animal judging and even the demolition derby.

The fair continues through Sunday.