The Higginsville Country Fair began in 1978 with Pigeon Long handling the flea market booths and Rodger Purl taking care of the parade. These individuals performed these duties for the first five years of Country Fair. Thereafter, other individuals followed in their footsteps to continue the tradition of Country Fair as it has evolved today. Over the years, it has grown and changed, but one thing remains the same, Country Fair is a time to celebrate our city and enjoy the talents of our local people!
Higginsville was founded in 1869 by Harvey J. Higgins. Higginsville is located 5 miles north of I-70 on Highway 13…just 50 miles east of Kansas City! With a population of almost 5,000, Main Street is lined with double or triple that amount on Country Fair Day! People come from all over to check-out the 100+ booths, view the decorated windows with their old time collectibles, enjoy the scrumptious “fair foods”, listen to all kinds of musical entertainment, participate in “fun & games” on the “Kid’s” stage, and gather with family and friends to watch the big parade!
PAST COUNTRY FAIR CHAIRPERSONS
Pigeon Long
Rodger Purl
Frank Haston
R. C. (Bob) Rhodes
Wally Poyner
Fran Schwarzer
Jim Wells
John Campbell
Joe Anson
Connie Guthrie
Gary Evans
Sabina Werning
Jennifer Isdell
Kari Goetz
Pam Fisher
Libby Doss
Julia Hawkins
Higg Chamber
Hi there - it’s me Cornelius! In 1978, Pigeon Long and several other Higginsville community partners created me as their mascot for the Country Fair. You may see me around town proudly representing Higginsville’s Country Fair!
FORMER COUNTRY FAIR ROYALTY
Higginsville Country Fair Queens
1986 Kristi Kerr
1987 Teresa Smith Odle
1988 Marnie Morgan Oetting
1989 Kristol Neal Chism
1990 Nicole Helmer McCormick
1991 Dana Augustine Shafer
1992 Jill Wilson Warren
1993 Gina Riekhof Gampper
1994 Rori Wood Schreiman
1995 Megan Sutherland Trigg
Miss Country Fair
1996 Ashley Pulliam Mitchell
1997 Corinne Green Watts
1998 Cara Copenhaver Riekhof
1999 Alison Pulliam Agnew
2000 Kacey Williams Schaeffer
2001 Briana Smith Gray
2002 Karly Kappelman Qualls
2003 Jessica McCormack White
2004 Aleisa Kays Emison
2005 Teri Wood Eckhoff
2006 Heather Closterman
2007 Brianna Zeller
2008 Adrienne Cornelius Schrodt
2009 Megan Reid Madsen
2010 Andrea Arbogast
2011 Nikita Baughman Riley
2012 Shayna Heathman
2013 Blayke Baxter
2014 Molly Bertz
2015 Aubri Graham
2016 Paige Goetz
2017 Aubri Graham
2018 Hope Reeves
2019 Halle Theno
2021 Savannah Skinner
2022 Savannah Twyman
2024 Annalynn Schloman
Young Miss Higginsville Country Fair
1997 Tiffany Gray
1998 Kerri Thurmon Barnes
1999 Briana Smith Gray
2000 Karly Kappelman Qualls
2001 Danae Vollrath Glidewell
2002 Teri Wood Eckhoff
2003 Heather Closterman
2004 Siobhain Woodrow Goodwyn
2005 Briana Zeller
2006 Tessa McCormack
2007 Megan Reid Madsen
2008 Megan Green Robles
2009 Aby Burchkhart
2010 Shayna Heathman
2011 Molly Bertz
2012 Rebecca Rhoad
2013 Chantel Kappelman
2014 None
2015 Chantel Kappelman
2016 Megan Whitt
2017 Jayden Wahn
2018 Hope Reeves
2019 Savannah Twyman