{"id":325729,"date":"2026-08-20T11:46:40","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T11:46:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/325729\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T11:46:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T11:46:40","slug":"morgan-sommerio-crowned-2026-winnebago-county-fair-queen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/325729\/","title":{"rendered":"Morgan Sommerio crowned 2026 Winnebago County Fair queen"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-273206\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/crowning-moment.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1192\"  \/>Morgan Sommerio is crowned Winnebago County Fair queen by Khloe Wiegers on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, at the fairgrounds in Pecatonica. (Photo by Kevin Haas\/Rock River Current)<br \/>\nBy Kevin Haas<br \/>Rock River Current<br \/><a class=\"cursor-init\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rockrivercurrent.com\/connect\/be-an-insider\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Get our free e-newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n<p>PECATONICA \u2014 A college student who one day hopes to use music therapy to help young patients through their time at a children\u2019s hospital has been named this year\u2019s Winnebago County Fair queen.<\/p>\n<p>Morgan Sommerio, 19, of Pecatonica was crowned Miss Winnebago County Fair on Wednesday during opening night of the five-day festival. Sommerio, who was second runner-up <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rockrivercurrent.com\/2025\/08\/khloe-wiegers-crowned-winnebago-county-fair-queen-shes-miss-congeniality-too\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">a year ago<\/a>, earned the crown in this year\u2019s five-contestant competition.<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rockrivercurrent.com\/ads\/forest-preserves-of-winnebago-county\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Summer2026300x250.png\" class=\"no-lazy-load wp-post-image\" alt=\"Promotional banner with purple flowers and the words 'SUMMER IS IN FULL BLOOM' over a translucent panel; logo for Forest Preserves of Winnebago County.\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI want to do so much more for my community so this was the next step,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m so excited. I\u2019ve worked really hard for this. I just want to bring so much to the community. I want to show up as much as I can.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The sophomore at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, wins a $1,000 scholarship from the Winnebago County Fair Association and $1,500 from Rock Valley College. She\u2019ll compete in the 2027 Miss Illinois County Fair queen pageant in January.<\/p>\n<p>Sommerio said she\u2019s eager to walk around the fairgrounds and meet all the attendees. She encouraged people not to be shy and approach her to introduce themselves.<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rockrivercurrent.com\/ads\/fpwc-golf-courses\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GolfSeason_300x250.png\" class=\"no-lazy-load wp-post-image\" alt=\"\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m representing my community and I think meeting people and learning more about them is that first step,\u201d she said. \u201cI just want to learn everybody\u2019s names and learn more about my community. If you see me, come up to me because I want to meet you. I\u2019m going to come up to you first.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-273212\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Khaleesi-reacts.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1047\"  \/>Khaleesi Sutherland reacts to her name being called as the 2026 Jr. Miss Winnebago County Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, at the fairgrounds in Pecatonica. (Photo by Kevin Haas\/Rock River Current)<\/p>\n<p>This year\u2019s Jr. Miss Winnebago County Fair is Khaleesi Sutherland, a 13-year-old Pecatonica Middle School student whose jaw dropped upon hearing her name called.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI didn\u2019t know whether to be excited, upset. It was just a lot,\u201d Sutherland said. \u201cI feel like this is a big confidence booster for me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rockrivercurrent.com\/ads\/senior-helpers-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SeniorHelpers.png\" class=\"no-lazy-load wp-post-image\" alt=\"\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Fans of \u201cGame of Thrones\u201d will recognize the name, and yes she is named after the Dragon Queen in the fantasy series.<\/p>\n<p>A year ago, Sutherland won three non-finalist awards. Her mother, Kristin Blanchard, said they shared a brief look before the winner\u2019s name was called and she had not yet won an award.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe has worked so hard for this,\u201d Blanchard said. \u201cShe has had great mentors doing this. She has met so many friends. She loves it. She loves to shine. She loves to be on stage. So I love this for her.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Winnebago County Fair pageant awards<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-273215\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/finalists-1.jpg\" alt=\"Three smiling young women wearing pageant sashes and a crown pose together, each holding a colorful bouquet after a ceremony.\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1017\"  \/>Winnebago County Fair Queen Morgan Sommerio with first runner-up Brylee Knutti, left, and second runner-up Stephanie Hoople on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Pecatonica. (Photo by Kevin Haas\/Rock River Current)<br \/>\nMiss Winnebago County Fair pageant<\/p>\n<p>Miss Winnebago County Fair: Morgan Sommerio<\/p>\n<p>Miss photogenic:\u00a0Alexa Sorg<\/p>\n<p>Director\u2019s Award:\u00a0Brylee Knutti<\/p>\n<p>Miss Congeniality:\u00a0Stephanie Hoople<\/p>\n<p>People\u2019s Choice:\u00a0Brylee Knutti<\/p>\n<p>Best evening gown: Brylee Knutti<\/p>\n<p>2nd runner-up:\u00a0Stephanie Hoople<\/p>\n<p>1st runner-up:\u00a0Brylee Knutti<\/p>\n<p>Jr. Miss Winnebago County Fair pageant<\/p>\n<p>Jr. Miss:\u00a0Khaleesi Sutherland<\/p>\n<p>Miss photogenic:\u00a0Cecelia Graves<\/p>\n<p>Director\u2019s Award:\u00a0Karly Asprooth<\/p>\n<p>Miss Congeniality:\u00a0Scarlett Milsaps<\/p>\n<p>People\u2019s Choice:\u00a0Scarlett Milsaps<\/p>\n<p>Evening gown: Cecilia Graves<\/p>\n<p>2nd runner-up:\u00a0Cecelia Graves<\/p>\n<p>1st runner-up:\u00a0Hailey Powers<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-273207\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/queens-history.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1134\"  \/>2026 Winnebago County Fair Queen Morgan Sommerio and past queens pose Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, for a photo of past and present queens that is an annual tradition. (Photo by Kevin Haas\/Rock River Current)<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-273217\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Khaleesi-lineup.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1193\"  \/>Jr. Miss Winnebago County Fair Khaleesi Sutherland poses for a photo Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, with past Jr. Miss winners and queens at the fairgrounds in Pecatonica. (Photo by Kevin Haas\/Rock River Current)<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-273219\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Khloe-Kim-Kevin.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1120\"  \/>2025 Winnebago County Fair Queen Khloe Wiegers brings her parents, Kim and Kevin, on stage for her final walk as queen on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, at the fairgrounds in Pecatonica. (Photo by Kevin Haas\/Rock River Current)<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-273218\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/getting-crowned.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1065\"  \/>2025 Jr. Miss Winnebago County Fair Deegan Edwards crowns Khaleesi Sutherland on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, at the fairgrounds in Pecatonica. (Photo by Kevin Haas\/Rock River Current)<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-273220\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Khloe-dress.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"799\" height=\"1200\"  \/>2025 Winnebago County Fair Queen Khloe Wiegers delivers her final speech on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, at the fairgrounds in Pecatonica. (Photo by Kevin Haas\/Rock River Current)<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-273221\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Khaleesi-reaction.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1196\"  \/>Khaleesi Sutherland reacts to being named the 2026 Jr. Miss Winnebago County Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, at the fairgrounds in Pecatonica. (Photo by Kevin Haas\/Rock River Current)<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-273222\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/queen-reacts.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1587\" height=\"1200\"  \/>Morgan Sommerio reacts to being named 2026 Winnebago County Fair queen on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, at the fairgrounds in Pecatonica. (Photo by Kevin Haas\/Rock River Current)<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-273224\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Khaleesi-reacts-again.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1807\"  \/>Khaleesi Sutherland reacts to being named the 2026 Jr. Miss Winnebago County Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, at the fairgrounds in Pecatonica. (Photo by Kevin Haas\/Rock River Current)<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-273227\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/last-reaction.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1627\"  \/>Khaleesi Sutherland reacts to being crowned the 2026 Jr. Miss Winnebago County Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, at the fairgrounds in Pecatonica. (Photo by Kevin Haas\/Rock River Current)<\/p>\n<p>This article is by\u00a0<a class=\"cursor-init\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/thekevinhaas\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kevin Haas<\/a>. Email him at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rockrivercurrent.com\/2026\/08\/morgan-sommerio-crowned-2026-winnebago-county-fair-queen\/mailto:khaas@rockrivercurrent.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">khaas@rockrivercurrent.com<\/a>\u00a0or follow him on\u00a0Instagram\u00a0<a class=\"cursor-init\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/thekevinhaas\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">@thekevinhaas<\/a>\u00a0and Threads\u00a0<a class=\"cursor-init\" href=\"https:\/\/www.threads.net\/@thekevinhaas\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">@thekevinhaas<\/a><\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Morgan Sommerio is crowned Winnebago County Fair queen by Khloe Wiegers on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, at the&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":325730,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[9,24,63,122,124,123],"class_list":["post-325729","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-queens","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-city","tag-nyc","tag-queens","tag-queens-headlines","tag-queens-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/325729","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=325729"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/325729\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/325730"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=325729"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=325729"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=325729"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}