Children Pageant WinnersBy Heather Clower
The Parsons Advocate
The weather didn’t dampen the spirits of seven gorgeous young ladies as they took the stage Tuesday, August 21 at the Tucker County Fair vying for the title of Junior, Teen, and Queen Daphne of the fair.
To be eligible for the pageant, the youth had to fall into the junior category, age’s ten to twelve, teen ages thirteen to fifteen, or Daphne for ages sixteen to twenty one. The girls were judged in six categories making up their total score for the evening. Those categories included an interview, introduction and welcome, a thirty second fair promotion, casual wear, evening wear, and an on stage question. Serving as emcee for the night was Tammy Greenlief Michael.
The winners of the pageant not only get the prestige and honor of doing so, but they also are well seen throughout the rest of the week helping at the fair. The queens play a major role in collecting gate donations, selling 50/50 and raffle tickets, and awarding the livestock exhibitors their ribbons. Along with this, the Junior Fair Queen is awarded a fifty dollar scholarship, the Teen Fair Queen a one hundred dollar scholarship, and Queen Daphne a five hundred dollar scholarship.
Daniele Wilfong was this year’s coordinator of the queen’s pageant. She began by assisting Beckie Smith who had years of experience in the pageant world, and eventually took the lead earlier this year. “The Tucker County Fair pageant gives young ladies a chance to build their confidence and use skills, such as interviewing, for future practices”, Wilfong explained. “The fair promotes more than just beauty, winners receive scholarship money. It’s a fun evening and week of events at the fair for everyone”, she added.
At the conclusion of the event, the 2017 Fair Queens were ready to crown the new faces of the Tucker County Fair Pageant. The Junior Fair Queen was awarded to Emily Spackman, Teen Fair Queen went to Kaylyn Crossland, and the 2018 Queen Daphne crown was placed on the head of Kelcee James.
The following night, the stage boasted the younger generations of the community with the children’s pageant. The weather was more cooperative much to the appreciation of the audience as they watched children ages zero to nine exhibit their little personalities and outfits. The classes with children ages zero to five were judged on stage presence and attire, while those ages six to nine were judged on introduction, casual wear, formal wear, and stage presence. The children’s pageant was emceed by Beki Bonner.
The winners of the 2018 children’s pageant were as follows: Baby Tucker County Fair (ages zero to one) went to Callie Nestor and Fox Montgomery, Wee Tucker County Fair (ages two to three) Brayleigh Moore and Beau Barb, Tiny Tucker County Fair (ages four and five) Avalee Nestor and Jace Barkley, Mini Tucker County Fair (ages six and seven) Jaelyn Myers and Aldean McMahan, and Little Tucker County Fair (ages eight and nine) Elva Bible.
“All the children did a wonderful job in the pageant this evening”, stated Daniele Wilfong, who was also responsible for coordinating the children’s pageant. “We encourage all children to participate. Every participant receives a gift and the winners receive crowns and sashes. They will get to participate in various royalty duties throughout the year as well”, she added. Wilfong plans to continue coordinating the pageant and is looking to grow the program in the coming years. Congratulations to all those who participated.