The 2026 Huntingburg Herbstfest Miss and Pre-Teen Miss Queen Pageants are set for Sunday, September 20th at Market Street Park in Huntingburg, starting at 5:00 p.m. EST.
Because seating is limited, we ask the audience to bring lawn chairs and blankets to sit and enjoy the pageant at Market Street Park.
Miss:
The following six contestants are competing for the title of Miss Herbstfest 2026, who will be crowned by Miss Herbstfest 2025 Lillian Thewes.
Jaylen Hill is the 16-year-old daughter of Jody Hill and the late Josh Hill. She is a junior at Southridge High School. She is sponsored by her family.
Alexis Eckert is the 18-year-old daughter of Bryan & Krystal Eckert. She is a senior at Southridge High School. She is sponsored by Eckert’s Tech Supply.
Janelle Hill is the 18-year-old daughter of Jody Hill and the late Josh Hill. She is a senior at Southridge High School. She is sponsored by her family.
Amerynn Brodie Fetter is the 18-year-old daughter of Mark & Tina Fetter. She is a 2026 graduate of Southridge High School and is currently in her freshman year at the University of Southern Indiana. She is sponsored by Huntingburg Greenhouse.
Morgandy Esparza-Humbert is the 18-year-old daughter of Adam and Kendra Humbert. She is a senior at Southridge High School. She is sponsored by The Huntingburg Grind Coffee & Tea Co.
Kali Chambers is the 17-year-old daughter of Adam Chambers & Amy Chambers. She is a senior at Southridge High School. She is sponsored by Amy Chambers. (not pictured)
Pre-Teen:
The following eight contestants are competing for the title of Pre-Teen Miss Herbstfest 2026, who will be crowned by Pre-Teen Miss Herbstfest 2025 Lexi Jo Mathies.
Olivia Blair is the 13-year-old daughter of Jason and Angie Blair. She is an 8th grader at Southridge Middle School. She is sponsored by her parents.
Kynlei Raine Beard is the 14-year-old daughter of Vanessa Jacques and Jason Beard. She is an 8th grader at Southridge Middle School. She is sponsored by her family.
Zoey Rose Buening is the 15-year-old daughter of David & Stacy Buening and Stephanie Buening. She is a freshman at Southridge High School. She is sponsored by Family Roots Nursery.
Ila-Mae Oeding is the 12-year-old daughter of Sarah Sharp and Darren Scraper. She is a 6th grader at Southridge Middle School. She is sponsored by her family.
Brailee Brockriede is the 11-year-old daughter of Jason & Amber Brockriede. She is a 6th grader at Southridge Middle School. She is sponsored by Oakwood Health Campus.
Carli Foster is the 13-year-old daughter of Cody & Cassy Foster. She is an 8th grader at Southridge Middle School. She is sponsored by her parents. (not pictured)
Leigha Blume is the 15-year-old daughter of Mike & Kim Blume. She is a freshman at Southridge High School. She is sponsored by her family. (not pictured)
Little Mister: (photos provided by family)
Crowning of the Little Mister Herbstfest will also take place during the pageant. Little Mister Herbstfest will be chosen by a community vote and will be crowned by Little Mister Herbstfest 2025 Jaxon Schmitt. Voting will be done via Facebook from Sunday, September 13th to Sunday, September 20th, closing at 5:00 pm EST.
Bennett Curtis is the 6-year-old son of Jasmine Curtis
Sebastian Devore is the 6-year-old son of Tracy Mehringer
Caden Foster is the 10-year-old son of Cody & Cassy Foster.
Keaton Allen Thomas is the 5-year-old son of Paiten Opel & Dominic Thomas
Dawson Beard is the 8-year-old son of Vanessa Jacques and Jason Beard.
Oakland Cooper is the 7-year-old son of David & Sue Schwoeppe.
Miss and Pre-Teen Miss photos courtesy of Jennifer O’Brien Photography.
