New Queens Crowned at Macoupin County Fair Pageant

By Editor | June 11, 2026

By MELISSA LYNN

Enquirer~Democrat Reporter

New royalty was crowned at the the Macoupin County Fair Pageant Wednesday, June 3.

18-year-old Ruby Lowder of Girard was crowned the 2026 Miss Macoupin County Fair Queen. Lowder was selected from 10 contestants and will represent Macoupin County at the 2027 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant in Springfield next January.

Charlee Steward of Carlinville was crowned 2026 Junior Miss Macoupin County Fair, selected from 9 contestants, while Mae Lewis-Hahn of Girard, was chosen as 2026 Little Miss Macoupin County Fair from 13 contestants.

Throughout the evening, contestants participated in interviews and a variety of modeling competitions before judges made their final decisions. As part of the pageant, contestants also sold raffle tickets in support of the fair and the pageant. Awards were given to the top sellers in each category. Charlie Harding of Carlinville sold the most tickets in the Miss Macoupin County Fair Queen division, while Charlee Steward of Carlinville led the Junior Miss division. Emma Dickinson of Benld was the top ticket seller in the Little Miss division.

The evening also marked the end of the reigns of the 2025 royalty. Miss Macoupin County Fair Queen Alyssa Carriker, Junior Miss Macoupin County Fair Claire Vinyard, and Little Miss Macoupin County Fair Averi Behme delivered farewell speeches before passing their crowns to the 2026 winners.

The newly crowned royalty began their official duties following the pageant, making appearances throughout the remainder of the fair. In addition to the new royalty, the following contestants were recognized with placement awards and special honors:

Miss Macoupin County

First runner-up: Makayla Clarkson, Carlinville

Second runner-up: Ella Eldridge, Girard

Third runner-up: Charlie Harding, Carlinville

Miss Congeniality: Ella Eldridge, Girard

Junior Miss Macoupin County

First runner-up: Sadie Roberts, Carlinville

Second runner-up: Josee Hart, Girard

Third runner-up: Mattie Norris, Carlinville

Miss Congeniality: Aaliyah Meyers, Carlinville

Little Miss Macoupin County

First runner-up: Olivia Bassett, Shipman