State Representative Mike Marron says he was surprised to learn that Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Alexi Bladel has been relieved of her duties. The Illinois Association of County Fairs board of directors relieved Bladel of her duties after the young Rockford woman decided to serve her country in the U.S. Army Reserves. She is now undergoing basic training.
Representative Marron says Bladel has been told she can keep her title, but will not be able to participate in the Miss Illinois County Fair Pageant coming up in January. And Marron says Bladel had planned to be there to crown the new Miss Illinois County Fair Queen.
Marron wrote letters to board members and the pageant director asking that they reconsider their decision in light of the fact that Bladel is a young lady serving her country in the military. But he adds the board has apparently decided to stick with its original decision relieving Bladel of any further activities as Queen.
And Representative Marron adds he believes these particular circumstances are unprecedented, and the young lady should be allowed to participate in the final event (which is the crowning of the next queen).
