Fair spirit bright despite rains

Brothers John and Keith Escue crooned to the crowd as Shady Grove Bluegrass band provided the music Saturday night at the annual Pea Ridge Community Fair. Musicians included Adam Ash, Clyde Gosvener, Brad Fortner, H.K. Scott, John Escue and Keith Escue.

Brothers John and Keith Escue crooned to the crowd as Shady Grove Bluegrass band provided the music Saturday night at the annual Pea Ridge Community Fair. Musicians included Adam Ash, Clyde Gosvener, Brad Fortner, H.K. Scott, John Escue and Keith Escue.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

— Taylor Long was crowned 2010 Miss Pea Ridge Wednesday during the opening evening of the 60th anniversary of the Pea Ridge Fair.

During the four-day event, queens and tots were crowned during the pageants, money was raised through the Most Beautiful Baby contest.

The oldest man and woman present Saturday night were crowned - John Scott, 88, of Little Flock, and Emma Pamplin, 88, of Pea Ridge.

The fair began as a centennial celebration in 1950 and has continued for the past 61 years on the downtown lawn. Votes for the first Miss Pea Ridge pageant were cast by dollars. The winner was selected by who raised the most money.

Saturday night, fair goers relaxed in lawn chairs tapping their feet to the tunes by Shady Grove Bluegrass, apparently thankful the rains had ceased.

The music scheduled for Friday night was curtailed because of rain.

A carnival midway lit the night skies and children ran to and from their parents and grandparents to the bright lights and the rides and games.

On Wednesday night, former queen Katelyn Woodward crowned Long, the daughter of Jamie and David Long of Pea Ridge. Long was also named Miss Congeniality. She was escorted by her stepfather, David Green. The three contestants appeared first in casual attire, then changed into formal dress.

They were each separately interviewed by judges Leslie Folsom of Bella Vista, Mary Durand of Pea Ridge and Michael Craig of Bentonville.

First runner-up was Alisha Simpson, daughter of Lisa Harper and Joey Simpson of Pea Ridge, who was escorted by Tripp Brockman. Second runner-up was Tabatha Frasier,daughter of Jay Frasier and Trina Rothfus of Garfield, escorted by her uncle, Cody Griffin.

Tiny Tots

Mr. Tiny Tot Tommy Williams, 5, son of Burgundy and Tom Williams of Garfield, and Miss Tiny Tot Jadyn Spivey, 5, daughter of Jeff and Nancy Spivey of Pea Ridge, were crowned Wednesday night. First runners-up were Nick Landis, 5, son of Carl and Cindy Landis, and Trinity Shae Alley, 5, daughter of Shawn and Amanda Alley. Second runners-up were Brayden Piper, 5, son of Loresta and Dustin Piper, and Erika Janelle Oxford, 4, daughter of John and Glorie Oxford.

Other contestants were Zoe Lundy, 5, daughter of Troy and Kim Lundy, Trinity Shae Alley, 5, daughter of Shawn and Amanda Alley, Abbygale Jackson, 5, daughter of Stefanie and Donnell Jackson; and Natalie Shea Graham, 5, daughter of Justin and Don Graham.

Junior Miss Pea Ridge

The Junior Miss PeaRidge contest and the Teeny Tot contest Thursday night were moved to City Hall as rain pelted the outdoor stage. The audience exchanged places as the room was crowded beyond capacity for the two pageants.

Jr. Miss Pea Ridge Kelly Simpson was crowned by former junior queen Tabatha Frasier. Simpson, daughter of Sam and Bill Simpson, was also named Miss Congeniality. First runner-up was Autumn Brewer, daughter of Charlie and Belinda Brewer, and second runner-up was Kristen Landis, daughter of Mark and Tammy Landis.

Teeny Tot

Peyton Carney, 3, son of Josh and Jennifer Carney, took the crown for Mr. Teeny Tot and Shelby Jewell Dean, 4, daughter of Brian and Sherri Dean of Garfield was named Miss Teeny Tot. Jacob Ryan Ogburn, 3, son of Michael and Mickie Ogburn, and Oakley Stroud, 4, daughter of RaeJean Williams, were selected first runners-up. Jacob Iglehart, 4, son of James and Korina Iglehart, and Savannah Jo Young, 2, daughter of Tony and Samantha Young, were named second runners-up.

Other contestants were Parker Tillman, 3, son of Katie and Andy Tillman; Taeten Piper, 3, son of Loresta and Dustin Piper; Hannah See, 3, daughter of Nathan and Nikki See;

Shylo Allisya Whitmore, 3, daughter of Tina N.

Whitmore; Kayleigh Mathis, 4, daughter of Larry and Casey Mathis;

and twins Gracie and Hattie Keene, 2, daughters of David and Amber Keene.

Most Beautiful Baby

The 2010 Most Beautiful Baby awards went to Khale Wade, son of Mark and Heather Henson Wade, and Maleah House, daughter of Lindsay and Zack House. The winner was selected by the decorated box with the most money, which is given by Beta Alpha to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. There was $690.38 raised in the contest.

News, Pages 1 on 07/14/2010