ALTHOUGH TENNESSEE didn’t officially join the United States until 1796, Lamar Alexander, the state’s 45th governor, proposed a bicentennial celebration in 1986 to mark 200 years since the first settlements in 1786. This “Tennessee Homecoming ’86,” as it was called, marked 200 years of the earliest settlements being formed. In 1983, during Gov. Alexander’s inaugural speech, he said, “Let’s have our own kind of Tennessee Homecoming. Let’s all come home to the values that make our Tennessee so special. The first step is for each community to take a look at itself to decide what is unique.”
Three years later, the governor boarded the Homecoming ’86 train along with author Alex Haley, who won a Pulitzer Prize for his book “Roots,” and well-known entertainer Minnie Pearl. Along their pathway, communities hosted parades, competitions, and events.
Helen McPeak, executive director of Wilson County Promotions, said, “The celebration focused on community engagement and showcased the state’s history and culture.”
“The fair celebrated by asking every community in Wilson County to have a booth to showcase their community’s history. My father was president of the Norene Community Club. I helped my parents with the exhibit by planning and gathering items to be displayed. Each community held a celebration leading up to the fair.”
For the McPeaks, that bicentennial celebration fueled a love and dedication to the Wilson County Fair spanning nearly four decades.
“My husband, Terry, and I were asked to be on the board of directors in 1988. We had three young sons, Justin, Luke, and Travis. As our sons grew older, we had different people entertain them at the fair so I could help in the office or at the gates. Our boys grew up at the fair, serving on the youth board, exhibiting their livestock, entering exhibits, and participating in 4-H activities. We have made lots of memories.”
When 2002 rolled around, leaders asked Helen to take on a larger role. “I moved to the fair office two to three weeks before the fair to work on schedules for volunteers, help with promotional mailings, daily newsletters, and customer service, like answering questions or whatever was needed. I worked part-time until I was asked to become the interim fair coordinator. I’ve been the executive director for the past 15 years. I’ve been blessed to be in this place and be part of the growth throughout the years.”
The 2025 fair’s theme was “Year of Pork,” and its motto was “Going Hog Wild & Bacon Memories.” Each year, the overall theme is “95 Reasons to Celebrate Tennessee,” which reflects 100% participation by all 95 counties.
With over 2,700 volunteers, 16 stages for live entertainment by locals — created to rival the Grand Ole Opry, which used to be located nearby — over 150 livestock shows, and different motor sports competing each night, this year was the best yet!
Exhilarating fair food competitions and contests such as harmonica, pig callin’, pig tail hair competitions, and the Great Bacon Toss, along with celebrity and costume swine shows, the AgVenture Experience, Dexter Cattle Show, and the Tennessee Garden Party delighted fairgoers of all ages. This year, they also debuted new rides, including the Tennessee Lift, Lightning, Samba Balloons, Star Jet, and Treasure Island.
All profits are rolled into the next year’s fair and used for improvements at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center.
“You can literally attend all 10 days and not see all the fair has to offer,” Helen said. “We are mindful to provide a ‘Wow!’ experience, making the fair new and fresh each year. This makes people want to come back from year to year to experience the new as well as all of the traditional activities.”
Helen continued, “Wilson County has always strived to be the very best fair we could be and to showcase the skills and talents of our county. Adding the Tennessee State Fair has been very successful. To be a true state fair, we needed all 95 counties to be showcased. Every fairgoer can walk through county by county in the ‘Made in Tennessee’ building and see what makes each county unique and special. Fairgoers can see the ‘Best of Tennessee Champion Exhibits’ that will be competing for the ‘Best of the Best of Tennessee Award.’ It is special to say, ‘I won the Best of Tennessee State Champion’ award at the state fair. An Iris Cup Award is also awarded among all the Best of Tennessee Champions each year. This is the ultimate to be selected to win this award.”’
The 2026 agricultural focus will be: the Year of Forestry. “Our overall theme will be ‘95 Reasons to Celebrate Tennes- see’ – ‘Voices and Volunteers.’ We will be celebrating America’s 250th birthday in 2026. We kicked off the celebration at the fair, but next year will be the grand finale,” said Helen. GN
