It's Clay County Fair week in Piggott

Leslie Lunsford of Corning (center) was crowned Miss Clay County for 2009, and was also named as Miss Congeniality, she's the daughter of Barry and Loretta Lunsford. First alternate was Chelsey Kilbreth of Corning (second from left), the daughter of Todd and Leah Kilbreth; second alternate was Katy Strickland of Piggott (second from right), daughter of Shawn and Lori Parker and Scott and Amy Strickland; third alternate was Ashley Williams of Rector (far left), the daughter of Wade and Candy Williams and fourth alternate was Charla Dinkins of Rector (far right), the daughter of Troy and Angie Dinkins. More pageant photos may be found on page 16 of this edition. (Times photo/Tim Blair) [Click to enlarge]

Friday evening the 2009 Clay County Fair officially began with the annual talent show at the Piggott Community Center. The activities in the eight-day run of the event then continued Saturday with Youth Day, an antique tractor pull and the various pageants. Despite a rainy forecast, the fair schedule continues this week and will wrap-up Saturday evening with a demolition derby.

Last Friday some of Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri's finest young performers assembled for the annual talent show at the community center. The show opened with a stirring rendition of the National Anthem performed on piano by contest chairman Kenneth Renshaw, a tribute to the victims of the 9/11 attack that had taken place eight years ago that day. The MC for the event was Kathy Norred.

The overall winner this year, and chosen to represent Clay County in the Mid-South Fair Youth Talent Contest, was Harmony Cagle of Rector. Taking the top three spots in the 13-21 year old age division were Kathleen Trotter of Batesville, Daniel Ederer of Doniphan and Elli Fowler of Wynne.

First place in the 5-12 year old division was Megan Johnson of Piggott, while second place went to Courtney Light of Alicia and third place was the Main Street Dance group from Walnut Ridge. Megan also recorded the highest score in the 9-12 year old age group and earned a trip to the Mid-South Fair junior talent competition.

Taking top honors in the adult division this year was Becky Lindsey of Rector.

The competitors invited to take part in the Mid-South Fair talent competition, included Megan Johnson, Courtney Light, Main Street Dance (both groups), Haven and Harmony Cagle, Kathleen Trotter, Destinei Heathcott of Rector and Daniel Ederer.

Saturday's rain showers put a bit of a damper on Youth Day activities, and slowed down the antique tractor pull in the rodeo arena, but didn't adversely affect the eight pageants held in the commercial exhibit building or the crowds.

Baby Miss Clay County was Isabella Woods of Piggott, daughter of Shane and Jamie Woods. First alternate was Madison Sowards of Rector, daughter of Aaron and Amanda Sowards, and second alternate was Lyndee Horton of Senath, daughter of Billy and Keythlea Horton.

Toddler Miss Clay County this year was Brooke Owen of Piggott, daughter of Josh and Holly Owen. First alternate was Molly Vangilder of Rector, daughter of Callie Vangilder and Aaron Harmon, while the second alternate Molly Faulkner of Piggott, daughter of Ashley and Adam Hackworth.

The title of Tiny Miss Clay County went to Sierra Minton of Piggott, daughter of Mark and Amber Minton. Her first alternate was Kyla Militoni of Jonesboro, daughter of Matt and Tara Militoni, and the second alternate was Charly Johnson of Qulin, daughter of Joshua and Holly Johnson.

Keylee Gromer of Clarkton, daughter of T.C. and Jennifer Gromer, was crowned Little Miss Clay County for 2009. First alternate was Madison Rahn of Piggott, daughter of Joey and Jennifer Rahn, and the second alternate was Natalie Holloway of Campbell, daughter of Rickie and Angel Holloway.

This year's Young Junior Miss Clay County is Colby Lynch of Greenway, daughter of Angel White and Bryan Lynch. First alternate was Rianna Holloway of Campbell, daughter of Rickie and Angel Holloway, and the second alternate was Abigail Welborn of Piggott, daughter of Rob and Angie Welborn.

Crowned as Junior Miss Clay County this year was Jessica Garner of Rector, daughter of Mary and John Garner. Her court included first alternate Jessie Scheffler of Piggott, the daughter of Bradley and Sandy Scheffler; second alternate Natalie Smith of Corning, daughter of Terry and Leigh Smith; third alternate Taylor Davis of Piggott, daughter of Troy and Julie Banning. and fourth alternate Alex Scheffler of Piggott, daughter of Bradley and Sandy Scheffler.

Miss Clay County 2009 is Leslie Lunsford of Corning, daughter of Barry and Loretta Lunsford. She also won the Miss Congeniality award from among the contestants. First alternate was Chelsey Kilbreth of Corning, daughter of Todd and Leah Kilbreth; second alternate was Katie Strickland of Piggott, daughter of Shawn and Lori Parker, and Scott and Amy Strickland; third alternate was Ashley Williams of Rector, daughter of Wade and Candy Williams, and the fourth alternate was Charla Dinkins of Rector, daughter of Troy and Angie Dinkins.

That evening, before a packed house, Sherri Douglas of Rector was crowned Mrs. Clay County for 2009. She's the wife of Jeff Douglas. First alternate was Amber Minton of Piggott, wife of Mark Minton; the second alternate was Lana Mansfield of Pollard, wife of Jeff Mansfield; third alternate was Shirley Greer of Piggott, wife of John Greer, and the fourth alternate was Brittany McClung of Rector, wife of Matt McClung. Douglas also took home the Mrs. Congeniality honors, as selected by the other contestants.

Monday was set-up day at the fairgrounds, and the first of the animals were scheduled to be checked-in. Judging was to begin Tuesday morning, with the annual fair parade and lawnmower races set for that evening if the weather permitted.

Judging will continue today (Wednesday, Sept. 16) and the first of the livestock and horses will be checked-in. Coming up at 7 p.m. tonight there will be team roping in the rodeo arena, and there is no charge for admission.

Beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, there will be judging of livestock and horses including swine, sheep, goats, dairy cattle and beef cattle. This judging will be Thursday, and not Friday as indicated in the fair catalog. At 7 p.m. Thursday evening there will be team roping in the rodeo arena.

The fairgrounds will be open throughout the day Friday, with the main attraction set for 7 p.m. as the "Hot Farm" and "Super Farm" tractors take part in a pull in the rodeo arena. Admission is $5 for adults and kids age six and older, with children five and under admitted free. Those wanting more information on the event may contact Doug Deckerd at 870-926-2592.

At 10 a.m. Saturday morning the annual canine contest will be held, sponsored this year by the Clay County Humane Society. The antique tractor display will also be set-up beginning then and will be going on throughout the day. At 6:30 p.m. the pee wee demolition derby will be held in the arena, followed at 7 p.m. by the regular derby. There is no charge for entry in the pee wee event, and trophies will be awarded to the top three. Entry fee for the derby is $30 for a car and driver in advance, and it will be $40 the night of the event. Pit passes are $10 for additional crew members, while admission for spectators is $5 for everyone age six and older. Those wanting more information may contact Danny Seal at 870-634-8047.

The fair kitchen also will be open daily, and the concession stand will be open near the arena Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Exhibit buildings and barns close at 9 p.m. each day of the fair. Those wanting more information may call fair manager Marty Conley at 598-4369 or Irene Causey at 544-2307.