Fair association critics want sweeping changes

Parents: Meeting with KCFA could prompt reforms

The Kendall County Fair Association has called an all-members meeting Tuesday after parents, former Queens Court royalty and community supporters spent three hours Sept. 11 demanding leadership changes, accountability and reforms to the pageant program.

The expected Sept. 22 meeting comes as the association faces growing scrutiny over concerns about contestants’ well-being, pageant operations and board oversight.

As more concerns surfaced this past week, Ford of Boerne announced it will no longer sponsor the organization.

The dealership previously provided vehicles and monetary support for KCFA events.

General Manager Ceasar Kondo said the business withdrew its support in the wake of reports that parents had concerns about the safe driving records of some operators of pageant vehicles.

“We had no knowledge of all this,” Kondo told the Star. “This is not conducive to our beliefs, and we will no longer participate unless everything is fixed and addressed.”

According to attendees at the Sept. 11 session, representing the KCFA board were President Wes Fleming, Secretary Linda Mairs, Treasurer Marilyn Culak and Second Vice President Russell Rust.

First Vice President Kim Flessner was absent because of illness, attendees said.

The nonprofit organization is staffed by volunteers.

At the Friday gathering, many of the association’s detractors demanded new leadership, attendees said.

Concerns raised by KCFA’s critics include:

• Leadership qualifications and board oversight.

• Contestant safety during public appearances and parades.

• Concerns from guardians that contestants were told they could be stripped of their titles if they spoke publicly about their issues.

• Parents are also challenging the legitimacy of the 2026-27 pageant results, with questions about inconsistencies in competition procedures.

• Additional worries regarding relationships between contestants’ families and pageant officials.

• In earlier discussions, parents of pageant royalty also said they were seeking reimbursements for gowns and hotel stays. They only sought reimbursement for gowns not used or worn, and for cancelled stays or events.

Many complaints have focused on former Queen Makenna Jureczki’s farewell speech during this year’s pageant on Sept. 3, when her microphone was cut off while she addressed the audience with her grievances.

Text messages provided to the Star show Tiffany Jureczki, Makenna’s mother, communicated with Fleming before the pageant regarding the speech. According to the messages, Fleming informed Jureczki that the board had reviewed the speech and determined portions should be changed.

Jureczki said revisions were made but maintained she would not ask her daughter to make statements she believed were untrue.

A revised copy of the speech was provided to Fleming before the pageant at his request, according to Jureczki, who added she received no response.

Attendees reported the discussion Sept. 11 turned to KCFA bylaws and the process for removing directors, but no action was taken.

The Star has made several attempts to directly talk to KCFA officials and will continue to do so.