By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
It was near the time of Geneseo High School graduation in 2023 when I first met Johnna Fulcher, which was her senior year at GHS. As I talked to a group of young ladies about the then-upcoming Geneseo Rotary Pageant, Miss Fulcher responded to me, “I am not a pageant girl!”
Fast forward to the summer of 2024, when Miss Fulcher was crowned Henry County Fair Queen. Her reign did not stop at the Henry County Fair level, and she went on to compete and win the Illinois State Fair Pageant, and currently is the reigning Illinois State Fair Queen.
As I got to know Miss Fulcher, I thought it would be interesting to find out what changed, from not being “a pageant girl,” to not only capturing the local county fair queen title, but also becoming the state queen.
Submitted Photo
She said growing up in Geneseo, the Henry County Fair was one of the highlights of her summers, but…” Straight out of high school I was content with viewing pageants from the stands. I always loved being at the fairgrounds, watching and supporting my friends and my cousin Chloe during the Henry County pageants, but this past year was different.”
She said she felt “an urge while sitting in church one Sunday to do the pageant. I knew the Lord was calling upon me to enter (the Henry County Fair Pageant) and I followed His call.”
Fulcher said being one year out of high school and one year into college “was eye-opening for me, and I continued to grow in my confidence in that year.”
On June 18, 2024, she was crowned Miss Henry County Fair Queen…” That week I served as the hostess and I was able to appreciate my Fair and what it does for my community.”
Her summer was filled with visiting other pageants, participating in parades, photoshoots and volunteering in numerous programs including Relay for Life, Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry, Braveheart Children’s Advocacy Center, the Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation and more.
In the fall and winter months of 2024, she spent a lot of time preparing for the State Fair Pageant held in January of 2025.
“Thanks to the former Henry County Fair Queens and my Pageant Director Kelli Patton, I felt more than ready when January rolled around,” Fulcher said.
The Illinois State Fair Pageant was held Jan. 19 of this year at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield when 74 county fair queens were vying for the title of 2025 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen.
Fulcher explained that in order to compete at the State level, participants must have won at their local county fair pageant.
CURIOUS ABOUT THE GOWN
It’s been said that the gown “tells the story of the queen,” and Miss Fulcher said once she tried on the dress she chose, she knew “it was the one!”
“Shopping for my gown for the State Pageant was so much fun! I got it just a few weeks after being crowned Miss Henry County Fair Queen. When looking for dresses, I wanted to find something unique, while still classy. The dress I chose was lavender, a color that isn’t often found in gowns! Once I tried it on, I knew it was the one!”
When asked if she was frightened at either the country fair pageant or the state pageant, Fulcher said she was not…”I was mostly filled with excitement and gratitude for having the opportunity to compete on both stages! If I had any nerves, I gave them to the Lord and knew no natter the outcome, it was all in the Lord’s timing and hands!”
“The night I was crowned was full of so much excitement and gratitude,” she said. “Being the 2025 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen comes with much responsibility and I am looking forward to it all.”
Her duties include being an advocate for Illinois Agriculture, visiting at least 20 county fairs this summer, and serving as a hostess for both State Fairs in Springfield and DuQuoin. There is not a national level pageant for the county fair pageant system.
When asked to share some favorite memories from her reign as Henry County Fair Queen, Fulcher said, “Some of my favorite memories was going to all the pageants in the summer and watching my fellow country fair queens be crowned! I also loved spending time with my Junior and Little Miss, Camryn Ebert and Owyn Fritz! Whether we were riding together in parades, or at the County Fair Day at the State Fair, or volunteering together, we always had the best time with one another!”
As Illinois State Fair Queen, Miss Fulcher’s reign is just beginning, but she did share that so far her favorite moments were on pageant night when she was crowned…”It was such a surreal moment and being able to share that with my family and friends was amazing! I also had the opportunity to attend Agriculture Legislative Day in Springfield and there I was able to meet with my Senator and House Representative, and give a speech on how important agriculture is to our livelihood and to walk around the state capitol building!”
She recalled when she heard her name called as the next State Fair Queen, “It was a moment I will never forget! I remember feeling overjoyed while in complete shock! I owe it all to the Lord for his initial calling, it all makes sense now why I was called to do the pageant! The Lord placed me in this role for a reason, to be a voice to others, an encouragement to take that leap of faith and enter that pageant, to step out on stage and be courageous, because just like it has for me, it may completely change your life! I didn’t just win a crown and title; I won the role of a lifetime!”
Having once referred to herself as “not a pageant girl,” it’s important to understand how experience can change one’s opinion.
When asked how she feels about pageants now, Miss Fulcher answered, “I have always looked at pageants as being a great opportunity for women to grow in their confidence, improve in public speaking and interview skills, increase community interaction and personal growth. Now that I have partaken in two pageants, I hold onto these beliefs even more! Pageants are a great outlet for so many women!”