‘Fairest’ pageants open fair
The Anderson County Fair begins Monday, July 17, and as custom, the “Fairest of the Fair” pageants will headline the opening day. Six contestants will be judged for the 2017 crown of “Fairest of the Fair.” All of this year’s pageants will be held Monday night, the opening night of the fair, at the Underwood Pavilion on the Anderson County Fairgrounds.
“We dropped three of the younger divisions. It was a hard decision to do, but the pageants are part of the fair experience,” Fairest co-sponsor Amanda Hughes said. “Some parents were a little unhappy because of the change this year, but with so much going on at the fair we couldn’t get two nights for pageants.”
“And we couldn’t start earlier on Monday — not in the heat. I don’t want to be the cause of a two-year-old waiting in that kind of heat.”
Hughes and co-sponsor Shayla Sanderson, said they will re-evaluate the pageants next year, but for now Monday night’s line-up includes pageants for “Tiny Miss,” with age divisions of 4-5-years olds; 6-7-year olds; and 8-9-year olds.
These pageants will begin at 5:30 p.m. and are scheduled to last until 6:30 p.m.
The “Fairest of the Fair” Princess pageant is schedule to begin at 7 p.m.; the “Junior Fairest of the Fair” at 8 p.m.; and the “Fairest of the Fair” at 9 p.m.
The “Fairest” pageant has been a staple for the opening night of the fair and one would think there would be pressure on the contestants.
Not so, said Hughes.
“There’s pressure leading up to the pageant, but once they are done and the winners chosen, it’s just having fun and enjoying the fair,” she said.
This year the winner of the “Fairest of the Fair” will receive a $500 scholarship, plus a $250 allowance for clothing for the state “Fairest of the Fair,” which will be held in January, 2018. Also, Hughes said, the Anderson County Fair Association is paying lodging for the county’s entry during the state pageant.
Another new wrinkle for the 2017 “Fairest of the Fair” for the Anderson County winner is a commitment to perform community service.
“That shows commitment and a level of maturity from the winner,” Hughes said.
The contestants for the 2017 Anderson County Fairest of the Fair (photos on page 1A) are:
• Katelynn MaryAnna Adkins is the daughter of Dan and Sharon Adkins of Clinton. She is 18 years old and will be a freshman at Lee University.
• Meaghan Bailey Bingham is the daughter of Todd and Melissa Bingham of Clinton. She is 17 and will be a senior at Anderson County High School.
• Sydnee Rene Bryant is the daughter of Rocky and Shari Bryant of Powell. She is 18 years old and will be a freshman at Roane State Community College.
• Brooke Lee Clowers is the daughter of William and Tracey Clowers of Oak Ridge. She is 18 years old and will be a senior at Grace Christian Academy.
• Heather Mae Stewart is the daughter of David and Tamatha Stewart of Clinton. She is 17 years old and will be a senior at First Baptist Academy.
• Erica Grace Webb is the daughter of Craig and Tammy Webb of Clinton. She is 16 years old and will be a junior at Anderson County High School.
Contestants for the Junior Fairest of the Fair are:
• Bayli Kiana Alley, age 14, daughter of Jason and Terri Alley of LaFollette.
• Raegan Elizabeth Farley, age 15, daughter of Michael Farley of Clinton, and Traci Farley of Oak Ridge.
• Kaylee Dawn Payne, age 14, daughter of Steven and Jana Payne of Clinton.
• Lily Isabelle Vandagriff, age 13, daughter of Keith and Shelly Vandagriff of Clinton.
Princess Fairest of the Fair contestants are:
• Alexis Nicole Burt, age 10, daughter of Tammy Burt of Rocky Top.
• Jazzmyn Zelia Harness, age 11, daughter of Rodney and Gail Harness of Clinton.
• Zoe Blayk Hazelhurst, age 11, daughter of Jim and Kelly Hazelhurst of Clinton.
• Kendra Lynn Holbrook, age 11, daughter of Charlie and Tessa Holbrook of Clinton.
• Angela Bethany Kendall, age 10, daughter of Kelly Kendall of Oak Ridge.
• Marsha Diane Kendall, age 12, daughter of Kelly Kendall of Oak Ridge.
• Hallee Cheyanne Rutherford, age 10, daughter of Corie Reynolds of Clinton.
• Isabelle Hope Smith, age 10, daughter of Joshua and Amy Smith of Clinton.
• Sylvia Dianna Vandagriff, age 10, daughter of Keith and Shelly Vandagriff of Clinton.
• Hailey Wethington, age 10, daughter of John Wethington of Pigeon Forge and Tara Wethington of Clinton.
• Sophia Grace Whitaker, age 12, daughter of Jill Whitaker of Clinton.
Tiny Miss Division III (8-9-year olds) contestants are:
• Katey Jennifer Gail Bruner, age nine, daughter of Lorra and Robert Bruner of Powell.
• Emilee Leeann Byrge, age eight, daughter of Samantha and Josh Byrge of Clinton.
• Sophie Marie Carroll, age eight, daughter of Stephanie and John Carroll of Clinton.
• Zion Zaelynn Elmore, age eight, daughter of Denisha Cox and Isaiah Elmore of Oak Ridge.
• Teagan Delaney Green, age nine, daughter of Leighann and Matt Green of Clinton.
• Lavada Ann Johnson, age eight, daughter of Jenny and Gary Johnson of Clinton.
• Cailyn Leigh Taylor, age eight, daughter of Jessica and Leeshaun Taylor of Clinton.
• Brooklin Marie Wilkerson, age nine, daughter of Casity and Larry Wilkerson of Andersonville.
Contestants for Tiny Miss Division II (6-7-year olds) are:
• Riley Marie Alley, age six, daughter of Breyanna and Cody Alley of Clinton.
• Baylee Ann Brown, age six, daughter of Breeanna Brown of Clinton and Roy Brown IV of Powell.
• Khloe Cheyenne Childress, age six, daughter of Louann and Joseph Childress of Clinton.
• Savannah Elizabeth Farmer, age six, daughter of Aubree and Chris Farmer of Clinton.
• Lily Marie Guy, age six, daughter of Melinda and Mike Guy of Clinton.
• Brooke Madison Halford, age 7, daughter of Mandy and Chad Halford of Clinton.
• Eleanor May Linthicum, age six, daughter of Tara and Chad Linthicum of Oak Ridge.
• Marlee Marie Miles, age six, daughter of Marcus Miles of Clinton.
• Ella Reese Sivley, age six, daughter of Taylor and Ethan Sivley of Clinton.
• Kyndall Chanelle St. Hill, age seven, daughter of Brianna Kenebrew of Clinton.
Division I (ages 4-5-year old) contestants are:
Rileyann Paige Bailey, age four, daughter of Sasha and Coty Bailey of Clinton.
Emory Lyn Brummett, age five, daughter of Kimberly Lyn of Norris.
Cheyenne Isabella Daugherty, age four, daughter of Gabrielle Sharp and Ronnie Daugherty of Lake City.
Lyla Mae Gadd, age four, daughter of Ashley and Jordan Gadd of Clinton.
Kinley Grace Hendrix, age four, daughter of Lisa Murch of Powell and Cody Hendrix of Heiskell.
Piper Jean Linthicum, age five, daughter of Tara and Chad Linthicum of Oak Ridge.
Daisy Raelynn McCloud, age five, daughter of Tristen McCloud and Jonathan Massey of Clinton and Ronnie Poore of Rocky Top.
Kayson Amaree Sean, age four, daughter of Ashley and Chanraithany Sean of Clinton.
Karleigh Ilizabeth Stricker, age five, daughter of Amy and William Shepard of Clinton and Timothy Stricker of Heiskell.
Lexi Shea Taylor, age five, daughter of Jessica and Leeshaun Taylor of Clinton.
Amelia Grace Tomb, age four, daughter of Kathy and Blair Tomb of Clinton.
Hadley Kate Webb, age four, daughter of Holly and Jeremy Webb of Clinton.
The 2016 Fairest of the Fair pageant winners include:
The 2016 Anderson County Fairest of the Fair, Jordan Henegar, is a rising senior at Oak Ridge High School. Jordan is an honor student, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital Ambassador, Oak Ridge High School Varsity Cheerleader, member of the National Honor Society and member of the Spanish National Honor Society. She has been honored to be the Princess of the Fair in 2010, and Junior Fairest of the Fair in 2013.
She placed in the top 10 in the State Fairest of the Fair competition.
Jordan treasures her time with the Anderson County Fairest of the Fair and the many lifelong friends and precious memories she has gained. Jordan encourages all girls to participate in the Fairest of the Fair because while only one gains a crown every girl will have a magical experience. Jordan credits her time in the Fairest of the Fair program with her desire to give back to the community.
She is extremely grateful to all of the volunteers, staff and vendors that make our fair such a wonderful event for the entire community. Though giving up her crown is a bitter sweet moment she is thankful to continue promoting her platform of arthritis awareness with her new title, 2017 Miss Teen Tennessee United States.
Junior Fairest of the Fair in 2016 was Madyson Eve Robinson. She will be celebrating her 17th birthday Nov. 7.
She is the daughter of Josh and Christina Hancock and is the second oldest of five children.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to represent Anderson County. The past year has been unforgettable and I have loved having the opportunity to give back to the community. From volunteering at the Fantasy of Trees to cleaning the shores of Norris Lake and reading to the children at Clinton Elementary, I have cherished every moment. As my reign comes to a close I look back on all of the many blessings that I have received during the past year while holding this title. I am beyond grateful for Anderson County, the fair board, my sister queens, and my amazing directors,” she said.
Alyssa Callie Reep is the 2016 Princess Fairest of the Fair. She was born May 16, 2006, and has a one-year-old sister, Emerson Elise Reep.
“During my reign, as Fairest of the Fair Princess I read to kindergarteners at Clinton Elementary School, I helped clean the shorelines of Norris Lake, and I volunteered at the Fantasy of Trees. I absolutely loved everything I did with my pageant sisters. It was so much fun. I am so grateful I got the chance to give back to my community,” she said.
The 2016 Anderson County Fair Division V Tiny Miss winner is Mia Baylis. She is a graduate of Grand Oaks Elementary School. She is 10-years old and will be attending Clinton Middle School in August.
The 2016 Anderson County Fair Division IV Tiny Miss is Riley Alley, daughter of Cody and Breyanna Alley of Clinton. Riley attends Clinton Elementary School and is an upcoming first grader.
The 2016 Anderson County Fair Division III Tiny Miss is Hadley Kate Webb, age four, the daughter of Jeremy and Holly Webb of Clinton.
The 2016 Anderson County Fair Division II Tiny Miss is Riley Phillips, age two. Her favorite thing to do is color.
The 2016 Anderson County Fair Division I Tiny Miss is Avarie Spears, now 23 months old. She loves Mickey Mouse, singing, dancing, playing outside and being on the pageant stage.
