Reigning Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Alexi Bladel of Rockford has been relieved of her duties after she enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves.
The State Journal-Register reports the decision by the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs has Bladel’s family crying foul, but the chairman of the Queen Pageant Committee said Bladel’s decision to join the Army was not a factor in relieving her of her duties.
“It certainly was not anything related to her military service. That was considered a positive,” IAAF Queen Pageant Chair Bill Jennings said. Jennings said a news release would be sent Friday afternoon with more information.
Bladel, the 2018 Winnebago County Fair Queen, was crowned 2019 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen in January but was notified by the Association of Agricultural Fairs on Sep. 25 that she was being relieved of her remaining obligations as the reigning queen.
A queen has never before been relieved of her duties, Jennings said.
“The basis of the board’s action is the recognition of challenges you have had and will have in meeting the terms and conditions of the Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Contract,” the association stated in a letter to Bladel. “You will retain your crown as the 2019 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen until January 19, 2020, and will not be replaced during this remaining time period of your reign.”
Bladel will also retain all awards, gifts and benefits she received as Miss Illinois County Fair Queen, according to the association.
Bladel acknowledged that her obligations with the Army Reserves would interfere with some of her duties as queen. She said she would miss some meetings but would be home for the annual pageant in January. Bladel left for basic training Sept. 10 and is expected to graduate by Nov. 21, according to a letter that she sent to the association.
Bladel’s parents, Shawn and Heather Bladel, say the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs announced without explanation on Sep. 27 that Alexi Bladel was no longer the reigning fair queen and would not be permitted to crown the 2020 Miss Illinois Fair Queen pageant winner.
Before enlisting in the U.S Army Reserves, Bladel earned a degree in fire science at Rock Valley College to pursue her goal of becoming a firefighter.
The Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs plans to issue a press release to clarify Alexi Bladel’s status and the reasons behind the decision to relieve her of her duties, Jennings said.
