Megan Pagnini wins Miss California Mid-State Fair Pageant

18-year-old Megan Pagnini is from Paso Robles

– The California Mid-State Fair announced that 18-year-old Megan Pagnini of Paso Robles has been crowned the 2024 Miss California Mid-State Fair Queen and Miss Congeniality. Ashlee Holt, 18, of Paso Robles, was named 1st Runner Up, and Logan Rutherford, 21, of Paso Robles, was named 2nd Runner Up. Vanessa Pinedo, 18, of Paso Robles, won the Talent Competition with her Folklorico dance to “Son de la Negra.” Hailey Terrell, 17, of Templeton, won the Interview Competition.

The Queen received an increased prize of $2,500 cash, up from $1,000. The 1st Princess received $1,000, previously $500, and the 2nd Princess received $500, previously $250. Newly added cash prizes included $250 for Miss Congeniality, $100 for the Interview winner, and $100 for the Talent winner. All contestants also received swag and prizes from local businesses.

Megan Pagnini will return to the University of Arizona as a sophomore in the fall. She enjoys singing, dancing, acting, cheerleading, spending time with her dog, family, and friends, and traveling. She was part of the Paso Robles High School Advanced Choir, theatre, cheer and stunt teams, advanced dance, and the Professional Achievements in Nursing Club. She has won an AP Scholar Award, is a two-time All-American Cheerleader, and is on the Dean’s Honor Roll at the University of Arizona. For her talent, she sang “Wide Open Spaces” by the Chicks. Her fair proposal, titled “Get Home Safe,” aims to ensure California Mid-State Fair participants get home safely and educate them on the effects of drunk driving. She described herself as curious, determined, generous, courageous, and witty.

For a complete list of attractions happening each day of the 2024 California Mid-State Fair, visit www.MidStateFair.com. The fair runs from July 17 through July 28, and this year’s theme is “Wide Open Spaces.”