(Leitchfield, KY) – Ferris wheels, demolition derbies and corn dogs typically define a county fair, but the real crowning jewel is the crowing of a new county queen. And this year, so far, several Grayson County ladies have felt the excitement of hearing their names called as the winner of those county fair pageants, meaning they also earned at trip to state competition later this year.
The crowning for Miss Grayson County herself will not be until the opening night of the Grayson County Fair – August 27th with the Miss Teen Grayson County pageant beginning at 6:30 p.m. Miss Grayson County will follow.
That’s not stopped several girls from taking stages across the Commonwealth to try their hand at a crown, and seven have been successful in their quests for a tiara.
Madison Duvall (17), daughter of Brant Duvall and Dena Buczkowski, was crowned Miss Hart County recently. Madison will be a senior at Grayson County High School this coming school year, plays softball and volleyball for the Lady Cougars, and plans to attend WKU Fall 2020 and pursue her degree as a Nurse Practitioner.
Shanna McClung (18), daughter of Joey and Delana McClung, was crowned Miss Carroll County earlier this month. Shanna graduated GCHS in May as the Salutatorian for her graduating class, and will start her post-secondary education at UK this Fall.
Raigan Cave (15), daughter of Todd and Amy Cave was crowned Miss Southern Ky (SOKY) Fair 2019 earlier this month. Raigan will be a sophomore at GCHS when classes return next week. Raigan plays basketball and softball for the Lady Cougars, and plans to attend UK and work towards a degree in sports medicine.
These three girls, along with the next crowned Miss Grayson County, will compete in the Miss Kentucky County Fair pageant in Louisville in January.
Headed to the state competition in Louisville in October, along with the next crowned Miss Teen Grayson County, will be Rilee Jo Penner. Rilee (13), daughter of Robby Penner and Beth Riley, was crowned Miss Teen Butler County earlier this month. Rilee is the current Miss Pre-Teen Grayson County, and placed 1st runner-up at the state pageant against 78 contestants.
Also heading to the Miss Teen Kentucky Fair state competition is Izzie Weedman (13), daughter of Darrin and Melissa Weedman, representing Boyle County. Izzy was crowned Miss Teen Boyle County, brought her the crown and best gown, interview, and opening number titles. Izzy will be in 8th grade this year at GCMS and has future plans of becoming a dermatologist.
Joining these two on the stage at Miss Teen Kentucky State Fair is McKenna Woosley (15), daughter of Chad and Joanie Woosely. McKenna is the reigning Miss Teen Hart County Fair.
Competing in the Miss Pre-Teen Kentucky State Fair competition, along with Miss Pre-Teen Grayson County, will be Edra Pawley (11). Edra was crowned Miss Pre-Teen Allen County this Summer. She has plans of becoming a paramedic later in life, but this school year is in 7th grade at the GCMS.
Emma Lynn Hayes is the youngest of the seven winners. At nine years old, she competed this week and won the title of Ms. Pre-Teen Monroe County. She is the daughter of Mathew Hayes and Morgan Haycraft and step-daughter of Russell Haycraft and Jessica Hayes.
There are approximately 80-90 contestants who will represent county fairs from all over the state of Kentucky in October and January. Even though there are 120 counties in Kentucky, each county does not have a representative because each county fair must be a member in good standing with the Kentucky Association of Fairs and Horse Shows.
The Miss County Fair contestants will compete in a personal interview with the judges, swimsuit competition and evening gown. The pageant is held in Louisville in January.
The preteen and teen state pageant will compete in Louisville October 18-19th. The first Miss Teen Kentucky State Fair pageant winner was a Grayson County native, Tori Lee Robinson. Tori won the pageant in the 1989, and was representing Metcalfe County at the time. Jordan Clemons was crowned Miss Teen Kentucky State Fair in 2003 representing Grayson County.
Grayson County has had three Miss Kentucky State Fair winners over the years: 1964 – Dora Ann South, 1965 – Regina Pryor, and 1979 – Shelia Ray.
Contestants interested in participating in the Grayson County Fair pageants can print the registration forms from below. The pageant are open to other counties this year, which means girls from around the Commonwealth are able to compete. For more information you can contact:
Email: gcfairpageant@gmail.com
Call or text:
Grayson Co. Fair Pageant Committee
April: (270) 589-1355
Rhonda: (270) 589-0150
Dana: (270) 868-0104
Registration forms:
If we have missed anyone in our story, please contact Misty Thomas @ mthomas@k105.com.
