Winning photos to be featured in State Fair

ILLINOIS (WAND) – Winning photos taken by children and teens will be featured in a display at the Illinois State Fair.

The Cream of the Crop Photo Contest ended with nine winners. They range from first place to third place In three age categories.

“Each year, this photography contest highlights the beauty of Illinois agriculture and the talent of children throughout this state,” said Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs. “Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest. It was fun to get a glimpse of local farms, animals and the beautiful landscape of the place we call home."

Winners of the 2018 contest are as follows:

8-10 Age Bracket

1^st: Old John Deere, Olivia Mizeur of Taylorville

2^nd: Still Waiting, Olivia Mizeur of Taylorville

3^rd: Country Crossroads, Macy Price of Troy

11-14 Age Bracket

1^st: Ag in the Air, Alexandria Cassens of Byron

2^nd: Lesson in Ag, Kailyn Williams of Raleigh

3^rd: A Mother’s Love, Drew Mickey of Taylorville

15-18 Age Bracket

1^st: Sunrise, Kevin Toohill of Wapella

2^nd: Save the Bees, Kalen Carrelli of Oswego

3^rd: My Grandparents’ Farm, Jennifer Johnson of Hoffman

Each of the photos can be seen at the Treasurer’s tent, which will be on the north side of Brian Raney Avenue when the fair begins in August. Illinois State Fair festivities run from Aug. 9 – the day of the Twilight Parade – to Aug. 19.

Frerichs’ office says the photos will be part of a calendar and marketing materials for Ag Invest, a program that helps connect farmers with loans.

Click here to see all of the winning photos. WAND-TV attached the first-place winners to this story.