Quincy Feast crowned 2024 Little Miss Bagelfest (2024)

MATTOON — Eight-year-old Quincy Feast is a regular attendee at the annual Mattoon Bagelfest, where she enjoys spinning on The Tornado at the carnival and eating her favorite cheese fries on the midway at Peterson Park.

TheRiddle Elementary School third grader will be part of the celebration in a whole new way this year after being crowned as the 2024 Little Miss Bagelfest during the pageant onSaturday.Quincy said she looks forward to helping the rest of the pageant court represent Bagelfest at all the upcoming activities, including riding in the parade on July 20.

"It just makes me feel happy,"Quincy said after the pageant forages 5-8 in The Fields Church auditorium. The results of thePreteen (ages 9-11), Junior Miss (ages 12-13), and Miss Teen (ages 14-17) pageants later that afternoon will be presented in a subsequent article.

Quincy also received the "Best Smile" award from the Little Miss Bagelfest judges and was voted "Fan Favorite" by those in attendance. Quincy said she was pleasantly surprised to receive these honors in a group that included 11 other contestants. She said the audience's support also helped her to not feel nervous while she was on stage.

"I just knew they were there to cheer for us, and they were rooting for us," Quincy said. She also has gained confidence from taking part in local gymnastics and softball programs, she said.

The contestants each fielded questions from 2023 Miss Teen Bagelfest Hadlee Barr before joining together to sing “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars alongside 2023 Little Miss Ava Young and to show off their fancy dresses.

All of the contestants were asked what they want to do for a living when they become grownups. Quincy responded that she wants to become a nurse, "Because my mom is a nurse, and she helps people."

"It was precious. I was so proud," said Brittany Feast, who works in the progressive care unit at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.

Nevaeh Shaw, 6, who is a first grader at Williams Elementary School, was named as first runner-up for Little Miss Bagelfest, and she also received the "Most Photogenic" and "Best Personality" awards. Sophee Metzger, 6, a first grader at St. John's Lutheran School, received the "Best Dressed" and "Best Hair" awards.

The other Little Miss Bagelfest contestants were Journey Campton, Kenzley Childres,Paizley Childres,Quincy Feast,Tae'Lyn Finley, Avah Hayes,Dani Hoeppner, Reyna Perea,Robinette Perea, and Prudence Swiech.

The 2024 celebration has a "Bagelfest Academy" school-focused theme. Entries in the parade at10:30 am. Saturday, July 20, are invited to incorporate this theme into their decorations. More than 100 entries have already signed up for thisprocession, which will travel east on Western Avenue and then Broadway Avenue through downtown and past Peterson Park.