Western Illinois Fair Opens This Week in Griggsville

GRIGGSVILLE — The Western Illinois Fair opens its 2026 run this week, bringing several days of fair activities, pageants, livestock shows, entertainment and family events to the fairgrounds in Griggsville.

The fair is held at the Western Illinois Fairgrounds at 516 South Oak Street and remains one of Pike County’s long-running summer traditions. Each year, the fair brings together local families, exhibitors, volunteers, vendors and visitors from across Pike County and the surrounding region.

One of the first major events of the week will be the Western Illinois Fair royalty pageant, set for Wednesday evening. The pageant begins at 7 p.m. and includes the queen, junior miss and princess competitions.

Eight contestants are competing for the title of Western Illinois Fair queen: Clarissa Emerick, Emma Fairless, Hayle Force, Marley Hoover, Bella Hull, Natalie Long, Mariska Sheurman and Allison Woods.

The queen competition is open to contestants ages 16 to 21 from Pike, Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Morgan and Scott counties.

Junior Miss contestants this year include Zoey Bodine, Olivia Callahan, Nevaeh Crawford, Meg Davis, Rorie Dunham, Zaria Fore, Kenadee Hasten, Aubrey Kunzeman, Zoey Quintini, Maggie Schnake, Charlee Scranton, Lincoln Slight, Miranda Thomas and Ahna York.

Princess contestants include Ada Aring, Raegan Callahan, Austyn Clayton, Meika Dewitt, Conley Gunter, Karsyn Hull, Mackenzie Johnson, Rayegan Reel, Paislee Thornhill and Caroline Wilson.

The fair traditionally includes livestock shows, youth exhibits, food vendors, carnival attractions, grandstand entertainment and other family activities throughout the week. Local 4-H and FFA exhibitors are among those who help make the fair a showcase for agriculture, youth involvement and community pride.

For many families in Pike County and west-central Illinois, the Western Illinois Fair marks one of the signature events of the summer season. Fair activities continue this week at the fairgrounds on South Oak Street in Griggsville.