LOOGOOTEE, Ind. — The countdown concludes today as the community gathers at the Loogootee Gathering Pavilion for the annual 2026 Loogootee Summerfest Queen Pageant tonight. The event, which will commence at 6:00 p.m., will highlight several young contestants competing for the opportunity to represent the community and the Loogootee Summerfest festival throughout the upcoming year.
The pageant featured four distinct age divisions, drawing a large crowd of local supporters to cheer on the participants.
In the Tiny Tot division, a group of 14 contestants will vie for the crown. The field will include Amelia Mudd, Cheyanne Hudson, Ella Brittain, Morgan Potts, Anna Wininger, Gwen Flynn, Rorie Pressley, Posie Abrams, Parker Graber, Rosie Parsons, Vee Edwards, Reinna Burris, Raelyn Fields, and Kinsley Peach. The contestants sought to succeed the reigning 2025 Tiny Tot Queen, Mila Marks.
The Little Miss division showcases nine competitors. Taking the stage will be Sophia Pierce, Preslee Bledsoe, Avabelle Worm, Annalise Mudd, Taylor Mathias, Briclynn Graber, Havi Burris, Brynlee Carnegie, and Madalyn Abrams. They followed in the footsteps of the outgoing 2025 Little Miss Queen, Avery Bratton.
Nine contestants will also step forward to compete in the Junior Miss category. The division features Zaelie Knepp, Harper Tinkle, Annabelle Carrico, Meadow Edwards, Ava Wade, Olivia Keller, Aubrie Colburn, Kimber Padgett, and Lily Phillips. The young ladies competed to take over the title held by 2025 Jr. Miss Queen Breah Kidwell.
The evening will culimate with the Miss Loogootee Summerfest Queen competition, the pageant’s top division. Four contestants campaigned for the title this year including Bryleigh Fox, Ava Jeffers, Ivy Phillips, and Landry Strange. The winner will inherit the crown from the 2025 Miss Summerfest Queen, Chloe Ramsey.
Event organizers welcome the public to the pavilion tonight to support these outstanding young ladies in our community, noting the dedication of the contestants ahead of this evening’s presentations. The annual pageant remains a tradition of the Loogootee Summerfest, serving as a platform to recognize local youth and foster community pride.
