Addison Osman awarded as fourth runner-up at state fair pageant

On Sunday, Jan. 20, the 2018 Union County Fair queen, Addison Osman of Anna, was awarded as fourth runner-up out of 71 contestants at the Illinois State Fair queen pageant.

The pageant is held in January as part of the annual Illinois Association of Agriculture Fairs convention in Springfield.  

County fair boards convene to learn about issues involving local fairs, scout talent for their fairs and procure event coordinators.

The highlight of the annual convention is the state fair queen pageant, when the new state fair queen is selected.  

The state queen reigns over the Illinois State Fair and the Du Quoin State Fair and visits county fairs throughout the state. 

The pageant is a four-day event in which queens from counties across the state vie for the title of Illinois state fair queen.  

This year, there were 71 contestants. Each contestant competes in interview, swimsuit and evening gown categories and gives a one-minute speech.  

On the final evening, the field is narrowed to 15 and the process repeats for them. The addition is three on-stage questions.

Addison is the 17-year-old daughter of Eric and Janice Osman of Anna.  She is a junior at Anna-Jonesboro Community High School, where she is an honor student and active in cheerleading and cheer competition.

Janice Osman is the director of the Union County Fair queen pageant.  

Others in attendance at the state event were Addison’s sister Avery; her grandparents, Terry and Sharon Osman; Union County Fair queen pageant assistants April Merriman and Linda Warren; official hairdresser Deb Stroehlein; and 2016 Union County Fair queen, Clair Bunyan who placed as first runner-up at the 2017 state fair queen pageant.  

Union County Fair Board members in attendance were Chris Hodges, board treasurer, Mike Meisenheimer and Marilyn and board secretary, Dale Moreland and friend Pat Struemph.

Those who attended the event shared in a news release that “it was a joyous time for local attendees to watch Addison compete and win fourth place.”