By Fernando Rodriguez
Gary Beamer and Sweetheart Productions brought yet another spectacular event to the stage of the Landmark Studio for the Arts, on Saturday, July 9: the 2022 Braxton County Fair Pageant. Hours of work were invested by Gary and his tireless team of supporters and volunteers in decorating the stage a la county fair, using oceans of balloons, stuffed ponies, cows, pigs, etc., aimed at creating a feeling of rural America. Master of detail Gary made the contestants’ identifying numbers pinned to their gowns different farm animals.
Earning a title in the Braxton County Fair Pageant comes with a long list of responsibilities. In addition to promotion, the Queens, Kings, Princesses, and Princes will be present throughout the Fair, helping at the different events and at the Exhibit Building, Livestock Barn, Indoor Flea Market, and spreading cheer and smiles up and down the Midway.
The Pageant was held during two sessions. The morning session was reserved for children from months old to nine years old, and the evening session was for contestants 10 years old and up.
The majority of the contestants were female, with titles available for male contestants in the children’s divisions. Queens, Kings, Princesses, and Princes were chosen for the Baby Miss, Tiny Miss, Little Miss, Junior Miss, Baby Mister, and Little Mister, for the younger children, and Queens and Runner Ups for the 10 and over divisions, Pre-Teen, Teen, Mrs., Ms., and Miss Divisions. In addition, overall honors were given for Most Photogenic, Most Beautiful, Best Smile, Best Attire, and Ambassador for the children, and Most Photogenic, Miss Congeniality, Miss Fan Favorite, Best Dressed, Best Interview, Most Beautiful, and Best Smile for the 10 and over.
The Braxton County Fair Pageant title holders will enjoy maximum exposure during the length of the Fair, and the opportunity to represent Braxton County to the thousands of attendees at the Fair. For those that plan on continuing to compete in other Pageants, this is a huge feather in their caps.
I asked Gary which, of all the Pageants held throughout the year, was the most wanted by the contestants. Not surprisingly, he shared that the Sutton Fall Festival Pageant was the closest to their hearts. The reason? It’s a Sutton community event, it is home, as some put it. There’s a special feeling of being home and working closely with the community we live in.
Congratulations to the 2022 Braxton County Fair Queen Averie Goshert and the Queen’s Court Soffi Bee, Arabella Crookshanks, Siarah Armstrong, and Madison Short.
Other winners include Braxton County Fair Pre-Teen Queen, Allie Rhodes, Braxton County Fair Teen Queen, Alyssa Carpenter, Braxton County Fair Mrs. Queen, Amber Haddix, and Braxton County Fair Ms. Queen, Kristin Nimble.
The 2022 Braxton County Fair takes place at Holly Gray Park from August 2 to August 6. For information visit the BCF Facebook page www.facebook.com/Braxton-County-Fair-1940821772870846
Congratulations to all the Queens, Kings, Princesses, Princes, Runner Ups, and Award recipients, and wish all continued success in your endeavors.
Thank you, Gary Beamer, Sweetheart Productions, and your hard-working network of assistants, for bringing your high-class pageants to the Town of Sutton, and for giving our community a chance to showcase their talents.
If you wish information about becoming a contestant or helping Gary make these events happen, visit Gary’s Facebook page at www.face book.com/gary.beamer.10/about
In addition, visit the WV Association of Fairs & Festivals Pageants Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WVAFF and https://www.facebook.com/groups/
