2018 Barren County Fair Pageant
By Allyson Dix
progress@jpinews.com
Between the heat and periods of intense rain, the 64th Annual Barren County Fair held its pageant on June 26-28 hosted by the Temple Hill Lions Club with Pageant MC Lauren Barrett and Coordinator Jennifer Bailey.
Lilly Grace Squires of Green County was crowned 2018 Miss Barren County Fair out of a total 17 contestants. Adorned with a trophy, crown, flowers, banner and $200 for the upcoming state level pageant in January. In addition, she also won Best Swim. She is the daughter of Mitchell and Jennifer Squires.
Reserved for Barren County residents only, Taylor Allie Hensley was crowned Miss Barren County. Hensley is the daughter of Eric and Debbie Hensley.
Erica Spillman of Barren Co. was crowned 2018 Ms. Barren County Fair. To qualify for this category, contestants must be unmarried, with or without children, and at least age 22. A total of five contestants participated.
Makayla Ballenger of Russell County was crowned Mrs. Barren County Fair. This category also included five contestants. To qualify for this category, contestants must be married and living with their husbands and age 18 or older.
Rachel Britt, daughter of Jeff and Zeny Britt, was crowned Miss Teen Barren County Fair. In addition to receiving her crown, she also received $150, as she moves on to the state pageant in October. This was the first pageant Britt has ever participated in. Fifteen total contestants participated in the Miss Teen.
Gracelyn Jo Deweese, daughter of Chad and Meloney Deweese, was crowned Miss Teen Barren County. This crown is reserved for Barren County residents only.
Rachel Dukes, daughter of Joshua and Michelle Dukes, was crowned Miss Pre-Teen Barren County Fair and will move on to the state pageant in October. In addition to her crown, she also received $150. Thirty contestants participated in Miss Pre-Teen.
Lexi Shea Cox was crowned Miss Pre-Teen Barren County, which is exclusive to residents of Barren County only. She is the daughter of Lee and Connie Cox.
Little Miss and Mister Barren County winners were Macon Claire Shirley and Laken Wyatt Button. Macon is the daughter of Brian and Melanie Shirley and Laken is the son of Brady and Emily Button. Shirley and Button will advance to compete in the Kentucky State Fair Pageant in August.
Tiny Mister winner was Griffin Andrew Hughes, son of Tyler and Catherine Hughes.
Tiny Miss was crowned to Addilyn Carol Richey, daughter of Justin and Mallory Richey.
Baby and Toddler King and Queen winners listed below:
0-6 MONTHS: Girls – Harper Johnson, daughter of Holden and Morgan Johnson; Boys – Zayden Hammer, son of Seth and Chelsea Hammer;
7-12 MONTHS: Girls – Callie Richardson, daughter of Tyler and Kimberlee Richardson; Boys – Grayson Lee Fletcher, son of Brandon Fletcher and Lindsey Rude;
13-18 MONTHS: Girls – Carleigh Miller, daughter of Katlyn Pullum; Boys – Gabriel Brock Banagus, son of Angel and Nikki Banagus;
19-24 MONTHS: Girls – Auriana Blair, daughter of R.E. Blair and Jessica Davis; Boys – Silas Jackson Bandy, son of Jeremy and Carolyn Bandy;
25-35 MONTHS: Girls – Saylor Byrd, daughter of Daniel and Jamie Byrd; Boys – Jackson Laynee Hurt, son of Heather Hurt.
There were a total of 92 contestants in the Baby and Toddler pageants.

At left, Taylor Allie Hensley: Miss Barren County; and at right Lilly Grace Squires: Miss Barren County Fair, Best Swim. All pageant winners in this week’s Barren County Progress.