More DeKalb County Fair Royalty Crowned
by: Dwayne PageJun 25, 2025
The 2025 Little Miss of the DeKalb County Fair is Livy Hollis Slager
The 5 year old daughter of Jon and Katie Slager of Lascassas won the crown Tuesday night during the annual pageant at the fair in Alexandria which featured 11 contestants.
Slager succeeds the retiring Little Miss Jazmin Perez of Smithville, the 5 year old daughter of Joel Perez and Blanca Jones.
First runner-up in the Little Miss Pageant was Anna Lee Brelje, the 6 year old daughter of Andy and Whitney Brelje of Alexandria.
Oaklynn Grace Ferrell, 6-year-old daughter of Keith and Devon Ferrell of Smithville was second runner-up.
Norah McKeown was judged Most Photogenic. She is the 4 year old daughter of McKaielywade and Jimmy McKeown of Smithville.
The title of Miss Congeniality went to Eloise Jean Hendrix, the 6 year old daughter of Jared and Jennifer Hendrix of Dowelltown.
Others in the top seven were Roxanna Grace Morales, 5 year old daughter of Carelis Garcia and Rodrigo Morales of Smithville; Annabelle Rose Bowen, 5 year old daughter of Jacob and Kayla Bowen of Smithville; and Brynlee Rankhorn, 6 year old daughter of Jacob and Ashlee Rankhorn of Rock Island, along with Eloise Jean Hendrix.
The 2025 DeKalb County Fair’s Mrs. Fair Queen is 22 year old Monica Perez of Smithville. She succeeds the 2024 queen 28-year-old Mariah Faith Kilgore of Smithville. Perez was also named Most Photogenic.
First runner-up was 30 year old MaKayla Shea Turner of Smithville and second runner-up went to 40 year old Virginia Rose Graham of Smithville.
52 year old Shelia Tiner of Sparta was awarded Miss Congeniality
The 2025 Senior Fair Queen of the DeKalb County Fair is 61 year old Twana Roberts of Smithville. She was also selected Most Photogenic. The retiring queen is 60-year-old Tammy West of Smithville.
First runner up in the pageant was 58 year old Teresa Faye Winchester Stanley of Smithville
Second runner-up went to 78-year-old Margie Ann Williams of Alexandria.
65-year-old Teresa Wright of Smithville was named Miss Congeniality.
DeKalb County Fair Events Tonight (Wednesday, June 25)
Lions Club Pavilion:
6:00 pm Little Miss Princess (7-9 years) Following: Miss Sweetheart (10-12 years)
8:15 pm OBC Children’s Choir
9:30 pm Cash Drawings
TC McMillen Arena and Ag Center
6:00 pm Lamb Grilling Ag Center
7:00 pm Kiddie Tractor Pull Ag Center
7:00 Bump N Run T.C. McMillen Arena
Kenneth Sandlin Center- Live Demonstrations
Canning by Marilyn Spence
6 p.m. Food preparation
7 p.m. Water Bath Canning
8 p.m. Pressure Canning
For information visit https://www.dekalbcountyfairtn.com/
Davey Horton Hired as County’s First Certified Part Time Building Codes Inspector
by: Dwayne PageJun 24, 2025
The county has its first certified building codes inspector.
During Monday night’s monthly meeting, the county commission approved the hiring of Davey Horton by the county mayor to fill the newly created part-time position. He will serve as a 1099 employee and receive no county benefits.
Horton has experience in the job. He currently serves as a certified building inspector for the City of McMinnville
Earlier this year the county commission adopted a resolution establishing the current state building codes for the county to go by in issuing its own building permits. Establishing a building permit system would allow the county to collect fees on inspections of new construction rather than the state.
With Horton’s hiring, the county commission voted to enter into a contract with him and his salary will be derived from 65% of fee collections from building permits and all inspections except for electrical which are done by the state. The county must submit to the state a completed 14-page survey which is to be followed by an audit to ensure local compliance. Audits are done every three years.
Funds for the program are included in the proposed 2025-26 fiscal year budget.
Milligan Crowned Fairest of Fair
by: Dwayne PageJun 24, 2025
18-year-old Keara McKinsey Milligan is the 2025 DeKalb County Fairest of the Fair. She was crowned queen Monday evening on the opening night of the Fair.
Milligan is the daughter of Josh and Cyndi Milligan of Smithville.
She succeeds the retiring queen, Allyson Roxanne Fuller, daughter of Anthony and Amanda Fuller of Smithville.
First runner-up in the Fairest of the Fair event was Cali Beth Agee, 17 year old daughter of Kevin and Jennifer Agee of Smithville. Agee was selected as Most Photogenic
Second runner-up was Caroline Butler, 17 year old daughter of Dennis and Gina Butler of Sparta. Butler was also named Miss Congeniality.
Six contestants competed for the crown.
Meanwhile, the 2025 Junior Fair Princess of the DeKalb County Fair is Brileigh Nicole Bullard of Smithville . She was also judged to be Most Photogenic
The 15 year old daughter of Nikki and Jimmy Martin and Riley and Kayla Bullard, Brileigh was among six contestants in the pageant Monday evening.
She succeeds the retiring Junior Fair Princess, Ellie Caroline Ray, daughter of Shayne and Kandi Ray
The first runner-up was Karah Jo Ford of Smithville, 15 year old daughter of Steven and Amanda Ferrell
Second runner-up was Callen Alizabeth Tramel, 13 year old daughter of Hillary and Caleb Tramel of Smithville. Tramel was also named Miss Congeniality.
Meanwhile, 29-year-old Amber Renee Bain of Smithville was crowned the 2025 Miss Fair Queen of the DeKalb County Fair for contestants ages 21-54 on Monday night. Bain was also Most Photogenic. She succeeds the retiring queen, Brandi Liggett of Smithville
First runner-up was 22-year-old Isabel Morales- Cantu of Smithville
Attractions at the Fair tonight (Tuesday) include the following:
Lions Club Pavilion
6:00 pm Little Miss (4-6 years) Following: Mrs. Fair Queen (up to 54 years)
Following: Miss Senior Fair Queen ( 55 & up)
Following: Hot Sauce Challenge
9:30 pm Cash Drawings
TC McMillen Arena and Ag Center:
7:00 pm Corn Hole Tournament- Ag Center
7:00 pm ATV/Moto Racing- TC McMillen Arena
LIVE Sourdough Bread Demonstrations at the Kenneth Sandlin Center by Suzanne Slager:
6 p.m. Sourdough Bread
7 p.m. Sweet Rolls
8 p.m. Dinner Rolls
For information visit https://www.dekalbcountyfairtn.com/