LISA HOBBS - News Editor
A 2026 Warren County A&L Fair awards program honored 12.
First, the Youth Homemaker’s Award went to Laurel Mayfield. The award is presented to individuals who enter items in the youth canning and food prep departments and receive the most points as determined by ribbon count and item count. Mayfield entered 54 items and accumulated 132 points. She was presented with $50 by Fair Board member Tracey Scott.
Second, the Atha Jones Davenport Award went to Caileb Hillis. The award is given in memory of Mrs. Ulus F. Davenport to honor the individual best demonstrating the ideals Mrs. Davenport was a volunteer fair worker annually from the inception of the fair in 1953 to the exhibition preceding her death in 1974. It was her belief that increasing the quantity and quality of entries would make the fair better each year. Her love for young people who were learning to prepare items for the fair led her work in the Youth Canning Department. Hillis received the award for the second time. It was presented by Jenny Kelsey.
Third, the Luther and Clara Gribble Award for Girls went to Laurel Mayfield, and the Hamby Martin Award for Boys went to Rawley Gilespie. The awards are made possible by Larry D. and Judy Martin. These awards are given in memory of Luther and Clara Gribble and Hamby Martin for their years of faithful work at the fair. A $100 cash award and a plaque are given to the individual girl and boy earning the most blue ribbons in the Agriculture Department. Presenting was Tripp Martin.
Fourth, the Martin Agriculture Award went to Angela Bond. The award is given in memory of Aaron and Effie Martin and Larry W. Martin for their years of faithful work in the Senior Agriculture Department. It is given by the Martin family to the person receiving the most blue ribbons in Senior Ag. Presenting was volunteer McKenna Panter.
Fifth, the Shannon Panter Memorial Award went to Jennie Farley. The award is given in memory of Tennessee Master Gardener Shannon Panter Parrish to honor individuals in the Floral Department at the fair. The award is presented to the individual accumulating the highest total points in the Floral Department. Farley had 31 entries and accumulated 135 points. She received $99. Ali Young, Maggie Jo Walters, and Ashton Forth, the great nieces and nephew of Shannon presented.
Sixth, the Willene McGee Kell Award was presented to Linnea Wittekind. The family of Kell is proud to honor her memory by providing a crystal centerpiece to the Best Adult Cook of the fair. Wittekind entered 36 of the 59 categories and accumulated 154 points and $148 for her efforts. The recognition was accepted by her son, Daniel. Fair Secretary Wayne Davenport presented.
Seventh, the Senior Youth Award was presented to Elizabeth Lescarini, and the Junior Youth Award was presented to Annabella Welch. The awards are given to encourage participation in the Youth Clothing Department. Each received $25. Nate Harris presented.
Eighth, the Brady-Hughes-Beasley Photographic Awards were presented to Kayla McCormack, best photographic work done in color, and Elise Bivens, best photographic work done in black and white. The award is given in memory of Anthia Brady Hughes, Miss Willie Hughes and Joe H. Beasley. The Brady-Hughes-Beasley Archives at Magness Library presents these awards to encourage photographic excellence and give recognition to local amateur photographers. McCormack was unable to attend the ceremony.
Ninth, the Youth Poultry Flock Award was presented to Sienna Barnes. The award will be based on the condition of the flock that is entered in the fair and a journal of the time and money spent. The flock must be 15 or more birds and consist of birds entered in the youth and/or adult shows of the fair. Tera Rhea presented.
Tenth, the Linda Schlimmer Memorial Award went to Sarah Hillis. The award was created by Paula Barnes and her two daughters, Melany Crothers and Holly Jordan, in the memory of Schlimmer to honor her love for and commitment to the fair. Not only was Schlimmer a long-time volunteer in the women’s building, but she was also the first runner-up in the 1959 Fairest of the Fair. Fair week was a time she cherished entering, judging and working with her daughter June Ellen Banks in the canning department.
Eleventh, Fair Young Board members Ethan Roller and Emma Simpson were recognized as Volunteers of the Year. They spent numerous hours preparing the grounds for the fair with outstanding hard work, dedication, and many hours of service to make the fair the best in the state.
Twelfth, special recognition was presented to Wayne Davenport by Fair President Regan Kelsey. He was recognized for being the longest serving member on the fair board, as well as for his unwavering dedication to Warren County A&L Fair.
