Pageant doesn’t happen by itself
Published 12:10 pm Saturday, August 5, 2017
- Queens and contestants for the 2017 Franklin-Southampton County Fair pageant group together for a photo. -- Courtesy | Brooke Taroli
FRANKLIN
The Franklin-Southampton County Fair is annually graced with the contest and crowning of pageant royalty. Ladies ranging from Kindergarten age through young adulthood present their best selves in the hope of being able to honorably represent the Fair and Western Tidewater. But all that doesn’t come about by some mystical force.
It happens by the work of people dedicated to presenting the event and, more importantly, serving the area.
“We’re all about giving back to the community,” said Janet Joyner and Renee Warren, two women who head the committee for the Little Miss pageant; Joyner oversees the group for the Queen’s Contest.
Playing bingo at The Village at Woods Edge, organizing food drives and Easter egg hunts, participating in the holiday parade and placing wreaths at the veterans cemetery in Suffolk are among the regular activities.
“We usually do something each month,” the women said.
The competitions also feature scholarships. Each fair queen receives $750 after her reign has ended; that goes to her college or university. The winners in each category of the Little Miss contest get $1,000 in cash. The money is chiefly generated from how much is raised. The girls ask for $5 per signature put around a picture. Sponsorships are also sought.
The committee also decided to create the new Ms. Category; the winner will receive $200.
The pageant begins with the Tiny Tots contest at 5 p.m., followed by the Little Miss pageant at 6 p.m., and culminates with the Queen’s Contest at 8 p.m. All this will be on the Main Stage at the Fairgrounds.
Joyner and Wrenn said a tribute to the late Tony “DJ ToeKnee” Longoria, a popular DJ at the time of his sudden passing last October.
For people interested in participating with the committee or sponsoring the pageants, contact Joyner at 334-2171.
- The candidates for the new category of Ms. Franklin-Southampton County Fair Queen are, from left, Erin Stenger, Ashley Robertson and Brittany Johnson.
- The reigning Junior Miss Franklin-Southampton County Fair Queen Hannah Smith with this year’s candidates, from left, Madalyn Greonestyn, Haley Yeary and Gabrielle Johnson.
- The Preteen Miss Franklin-Southampton County Fair Queen Savannah Buchanan and this year’s contestants rehearse for their portion of the pageant.
- Wee Miss Franklin-Southampton County Fair Queen Breelyn Hewitt, center, grooms her stick pony as she and the contestants await instructions for rehearsing a skit. That will be performed during the Tiny Tots contest this Wednesday starting at 5 p.m. The Little Miss pageant begins at 6 p.m., followed by the Queen pageant at 8 p.m. All will be on the Main Stage at the Fairgrounds.
- Emma McClelland strikes a pose during her rehearsal for the Teen Miss portion of the pageant.
- The reigning Preteen Miss Franklin-Southampton County Fair Queen Savannah Buchanan with this year’s contestants, from left, Madison Belch, Erica Gardner, Avery Bowen, Courtney Cutchin, Ada Lee Gardner and Ava Raiford. Not pictured is Mary-Katherine Cobb.
- The reigning Miss Franklin-Southampton County Fair 2016 Brianna Kelsey Johnson, fourth from left, with this year’s candidates, from left, Kalesha Murphy, Bailey Griffin, Claire Watson, Rebekah Strobel and Skylar Cutchins. Not pictured is Sarah Giorgi.
- The reigning Wee Miss Franklin-Southampton County Fair Queen Breelyn Hewitt with this year’s contestants, from left, Bradlea Wrenn, Ansley Thomas and Kendall Hedgepeth.
- The reigning Little Miss Franklin-Southampton County Fair Queen Elena Raiford with this year’s candidates, from left, Charlotte Story, Savanna Moore, Tristan Tomlin, Kaley Raiford and Chloe Snow.
- The reigning Miss Teen Franklin-Southampton County Fair Queen Taylor Rountree with candidates, left to right, Josalyn Groenestyn, Madelyn Cosby, Mia Carson and Emma McClelland.
- Little Miss contestant Kaley Raiford poses on the runway.
- Smiling and waving is Savannah Moore for the Little Miss pageant.