COUNTY FAIR beauty pageants are a long-held American tradition. To this day, they remain popular and draw a large crowd of family and friends to support those on stage. For many, it is a rite of passage that offers the experience of a lifetime.
Celebrating its 25th year is the Bedford County Fair beauty pageant, Fairest of the Fair. Running as long as the fair, the pageant has stood the test of time and continues to be one of the six-day event’s most attended and unique parts.
Heading up the special event is the pageant coordinator, Brandi Smith. Smith has been with the fair for 16 years.
“My sister won Fairest of the Fair in 2006,” said Smith. “An opening became available to head the pageant, and my mother stepped into the role after spending time with the pageant due to my sister being queen. I helped her from the beginning, and eventually, my mother got on the fair board and started attending more events. I then took over the pageant as a volunteer, and then I also became a member of the fair board as well.”
Smith said she loves helping contestants have fun through the entire process. She said fair pageants can instill a sense of confidence and joy for those involved.
“I love getting to do something that’s fun for the community,” she said. “Watching the contestants transform in their dresses, along with smiling from all the fun they are having. It’s great to have everyone together enjoying something positive.”
Participating ages for the pageant include newborns through 50-plus. Typically not in most pageants, Smith said they added what she has lovingly deemed the “Golden Girl” category in loving memory of Joan Pimentel. Pimental was a dedicated fair board member who was also in support of the pageant.
“Joan always sat on the front row of the pageant, and she would always tell me that if I had a pageant for older women, she would participate in it,” explained Smith. “When she was diagnosed with cancer, I decided to add the “Golden Girls” in her honor. We continue that category each year in her remembrance.”
With around 100 contestants participating in the pageant each year, Smith said the true success of the pageant lies with the contestants themselves. She added that their courage to walk on stage and prepare for their big moment while they face fears and doubts head-on is inspiring. Win or lose, she feels everyone who takes part comes away feeling inspired by their determination and perseverance.
The Fairest of the Fair will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 8, and run throughout the day, concluding around 6 p.m. For more information on Bedford County’s Fairest of the Fair, visit online at bedfordcountytnfair.org. GN
